‘Occupy’ movement continues to make noise though some believe focus has been lost
After several weeks of chanting and marching, dozens of people continue the Occupy San Diego protest.
Since the initial Oct. 7 march, demonstrators have marched through downtown several times, a man died at the site of the protest, some have been arrested and dozens continue to camp out at the Civic Center Plaza.
Mark Elliot, an aspiring journalist, said he believes that, “If we the people come together, we cannot be defeated.”
“Everything we are doing is about peace, love and revolution,” Elliot said, standing in front of the Civic Center Plaza Oct. 19.
Participants in the Occupy movement have different reasons for why they are involved.
However, they all share one common view: “Human Need, not Corporate Greed,” as many signs proclaimed.
Supporters of medical marijuana have joined forces with the Occupy San Diego protesters.
Recently the federal government said that it would shut down most medical marijuana dispensaries because they do not comply with federal regulations.
“Together we can create embargoes against big corporations. We the people are the 99 percent,” said William West, who advocates for the use of medical marijuana through his website.
Not everyone agrees with what has happened since Occupy San Diego started.
Megan, a woman in her mid-twenties, who declined to give her last name, said that the movement has shifted away from its focus.
“I really want to see the movement keep going,” said Megan, adding that she was worried that issues such as unemployment, and extreme political views — the main themes in the first days of the movement — have now been replaced by topics such as medical marijuana.
The Internet has been Occupy San Diego’s biggest supporter.
Social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook have helped the movement expand all over the United States.
According to occupysandiego.org, a committee meets at 5 p.m. daily, general assembly meetings are held at 7 p.m., and protesters march every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
For the latest information on Occupy San Diego, please visit the website at www.occupysandiego.org
kathleen beck • Oct 26, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Bridges, not walls. Too much criticism and not enough compassion towards others with differing views, is the lnly downfall at this point.
From what I observed, inclusivity is the ideal value here, yet not being practiced as much yet. This means, all of us need to get a little closer to an inclusive grassroots value, by saying, “I accept that you share that point of view; even if it does not necessarily mean I believe in it”
‘Greed is not a need,’ could be thought about on a psychological level as well. None of us have all the answers, we all have a part of the truth; all of us create a crystal with many faces, yes!