Occupy Worcester Returning to City Hall Steps for Week Long Protest
Monday, April 09, 2012
Protestors are hoping to maintain a presence from April 15th to April 22nd to raise awareness about problems that they believe are affecting residents who are “pushed around by society.”
“The Occupy movement is concerned with economic equality and the detriment of those in lower economic brackets. We are demanding that the wealthiest pay their share and questioning where our tax dollars go,” said Occupy Worcester member and organizer, Jonathan Noble. “Is it being spent in the best interest of the people or the interest of those who serve?”
In response to the planned protests, Mayor Joe Petty issued a statement: “Our country was founded on the principal that everyone has the right to express themselves and have their voices heard. Government works best when you have civic participation and people are engaged.”
GoLocal also reached out to Congressman McGovern and City Manager Michael O’Brien for comment, but they did not respond before deadline.
Voicing Their Concerns
The week of occupancy will begin on Tax Day, and the group is hoping to raise spending issues as well as other specific topics. Following the week, Occupy Worcester will be holding Occupy Earth Day to voice concerns regarding the environment.
“We will be drawing a chalk graph on the ground of what our tax money is being spent on by the government and then ask people what they actually want their tax money to be spent on to show the difference,” Noble said. “There will be protests and chanting and open forums for people to talk about taxes and banks.”
“City Hall is the largest recognizable symbol of government in Worcester, but also across the street, you have huge nation-wide banks,” he said. “We will be generally protesting the injustices in this country and handing out information.”
Noble is hoping that this event will cause passersby to think in more political terms and he is looking forward to connecting with the concerns of people.
“We will be getting to know the people in the street, explaining our interests. We want to know where our interests intersect,” he said.
“We’ll also have a general airing of grievances. What are we concerned about and want to see changed? We want to get people to articulate what they’re upset about or what they’re hopeful for and get people to think in more political terms than they may be used to,” Noble said.
According to Noble, members of other Worcester groups such as Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team (WAFT) and Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organizing for Community Advancement (EPPOCA) have expressed interest in joining the event, but these agreements have yet to be finalized.
Twenty Four/Seven
While Occupy Worcester is hoping for 24/7 outdoor presence, Noble says shifts will be implemented and the group is less concerned about consistent presence.
“Our goal is not to be there for 24 hours straight – that would probably kill us emotionally and physically.
We’re not too worried about filling the 4 - 8 a.m. shift. We’re more concerned with the 12 – 4 shift. There is talk about expanding past a week, but we’ll see what happens,” Noble said. “We’re asking people from Occupy Worcester or outside the group to sign up for shifts online. There will be six, four-hour shifts a day with at least five members per shift. “If the shift isn’t filled, we have a place to store supplies until the next one.”
Noble says that the group is hoping this will be a more maintainable effort than previous ones.
“It’s kind of like the encampments (held last summer and fall by Occupy), but what we think will be more sustainable,” he said.
Why Worcester?
Last summer, Occupy movements started in cities across the country. What makes Occupy Worcester unique?
“I feel like Worcester isn’t a major financial center in the same way Boston or New York is, but what we are is a large-ish city with a lot of people – a lot of whom don’t have a lot of money. It’s not the wealthiest city in America. A lot of people get pushed around by society,” Nobel said. “Personally, I think we could be a great tool for getting more people involved.”
“Worcester is more like the rest of the country. It’s reflective of how the rest of the nation works. It has qualities of middle America and small town America. Getting people excited – that’s what I’m trying to accomplish in doing this. Others may have other goals.”
“I want it to be a more general thing where people can talk to Occupy Worcester and see what we’re about. I want to see focuses on specific things.”
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