Occupy Austin: Day 8 and the Protest Continues
FIRST PERSON | Occupy Austin is in its eighth day at City Hall and despite arrests made overnight, demonstrators are still going strong. Some believe that the movement is only getting stronger and you can certainly feel it in the air when you get close. I've never really been to a rally like this so the whole thing felt a little strange but I parked my car and took a walk over so I could see more than just the view from the streets.
People are gathered, mostly in the plaza in front of City Hall and it was quieter and more peaceful than I thought. Various speakers were set up and when someone was speaking, the crowd grew silent except for nods, cheers and agreements here and there.
There was a plethora of signs everywhere and the reality hits of the people facing problems from foreclosures, health care problems, legal troubles, job loss and more. You can feel the energy in the crowds but everything was surprisingly calmer than I expected. Everyone had their own story to share but the overall mood was of love and justice. It was much more peaceful than I expected the scene to be. No one wanted trouble, only to be heard.
One man stood out, dressed like the freedom fighter known only as "V" from the movie V for Vendetta. He held a sign that read, "The Beginning is Near." Other signs seen in the plaza read "Keep Austin Occupied," "You are the revolution" and a young girl with one that read, "Why not live simply so that others can simply live."
Since I arrived in the early evening, there were actually several children and young people present at the rally. Many people (and their signs) spoke out about standardized testing, high tuition costs and other concerns to students of the area. Others protested about war and our troops being deployed. Central Texas is an area that has seen more than its fair share of deployed troops. It's something that nearly everyone here can personally relate to. One uniformed soldier carried a sign that read, "I fought for my country; not for Wall Street."
Thursday makes the eighth straight day of protests and Occupy Austin is building stronger than ever. They plan a march this Saturday, Oct. 15, from City Hall to the capitol and there could be thousands in attendance. I plan to check out the march as well and see how things go. History is being made in Austin and across the country and no matter which side you're on, you cannot help but be affected when you're on the scene.
Follow Occupy Austin from its website where it also has a full schedule of planned events.
Published by Lisa Mason - Featured Contributor in Technology
Lisa Mason is a freelance writer and social media marketer with more than 10 years of experience. As VP of Special Media for Social Media Sun, she makes sure that readers have access to the most relevant and... View profile
- Some Suggested Demands for the Occupy Wall Street Protest Based on the American Sc...The Occupy Wall Street protest has been criticized for not having specific demands. Here are some suggestions based on the American School of economics.
Los Angeles Joins the Occupy Wall Street MovementThe City of LA formally joins Occupy Wall Street. And just as what we have seen in other major cities across the U.S., there are peaceful but loud protesting, normally ending wi...
7 Things Occupy Wall Street Has Shown MeEven if I disagree with most of what they have to say, I guess I can be grateful for the 7 things Occupy Wall Street has shown me
Seven Problems with Arguments Made by Occupy Wall Street:There are others but here are seven problems with the arguments made by Occupy Wall Street:
Two Main Problems with Occupy Wall StreetThere are two main problems with the Occupy Wall Street movement who are currently taking up space in downtown Manhattan.
- Free Summer Library Fun for Kids Around Austin, Texas
- Guillaume Legendre: Wheelchair Sports Aren't Around to "Occupy Disabled People"
- Texas Research Paper
- Stephen F. Austin's Role in the Colonization of Texas
- Occupy Wall Street Movement Gains Steam in the Wake of Weekend Arrests
- How Do You Feel About the Occupy Wall Street Movement?
- Who Are Occupy Wall Street? A Boots on the Ground View
3 Comments
Post a CommentGreat informative article, I personally feel that all American citizens have the right to protest against any form of oppression that happens in our nation, this is what makes this country a great and diversified one indeed.
I plan on moving to Austin Texas at the beginning of 2012, I have been told it is a great place to live.
super
People in the street - peacefully. Hope really DOES spring eternal :-}