On Oct. 7 at 9 am the Occupy Minneapolis movement officially started. The movement was modeled after the Occupy Wall Street movement, which started on Sept. 17. The movement’s main goals are to end corporate greed and corruption, whilst protesting the fact that one percent of the country’s population controls over 30 percent of the country’s wealth.
Protesters are camping out in Government Plaza near Minneapolis City Hall and have renamed the plaza “The People’s Plaza.” The original movement in New York has spread considerably and has spurred protests in 900 cities worldwide.
The movement’s slogan, “We are the 99 percent,” emphasizes how expansive this movement has become. Although the movement is large, goals are not exactly clear. Protester Derek Adams says he is protesting “against corporate greed,” while another protester, Beatriz Rodriguez says she is “protesting the current unemployment rate.”
According to a New York Times poll, 43 percent of Americans agree with the movement, and 66 percent of Americans think that money should be more evenly distributed among more people. This explains the large growth of the movement in such a short time.
A college student, protester Phil Sutherland, said that his goals are “to end corruption in the government and equalize the people.” Sutherland believes that the protest “will last until the government gives in,” but others have different ideas. Minneapolis resident, David Hanson believes “with winter coming, there is no way that the protest will be able to continue.”
On top of this, Hennepin County says they will begin winterizing the plaza soon, and will confiscate any unattended belongings.
The protesters have stated that they will not move, but some plans for an indoor camp-out location have been speculated.
Junior Josh Overturf, believes “it’s good that they are standing up for what they believe in,” but he also believes that the protest will not last long. So far there has been no violence related with the protests in Minneapolis, but police have been watching closely.
In New York, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly stated that as of Oct. 27, the protests had cost $5 million in overtime for police officers. However, New York City’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg supports the protesters, saying that are “generally law-abiding citizens who follow the rules.”
In Minneapolis, former Governor Jesse Ventura has been seen joining in with the protesters. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has supported the movement and has stated that he understands their cause. However, with the winterization of the plaza coming up, the government may have to step in on the protest.
The protesters have stated that they will not move, but some plans for an indoor camp-out location have been speculated.
Junior Josh Overturf believes “it’s good that they are standing up for what they believe in,” but he also believes that the protest will not last long. So far there has been no violence related with the protests in Minneapolis, but police have been watching closely.
In New York, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly stated that as of Oct. 27, the protests had cost $5 million in overtime for police officers. However, New York City’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg supports the protesters, saying that are “generally law-abiding citizens who follow the rules.”
In Minneapolis, former Governor Jesse Ventura has been seen joining in with the protesters. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has supported the movement and has stated that he understands their cause. However, with the winterization of the plaza coming up, the government may have to step in on the protest.
Harry Hutter is the Advertising Editor for The Spartan Speaks
