Thursday, October 13, 2011
Politics Occupy Boise Marches Through Downtown
Posted by April Foster on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Members of the Occupy Boise group took to Boise's downtown again on Wednesday, greater in number and larger in voice, deriding what they called "greed, corporate power and government corruption."
Wednesday's evening rush hour was serenaded by chants of, “Tell me what democracy looks like: this is what democracy looks like,” “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out,” and “We are the 99 percent.”
- Stephen Foster
- Occupy Boise protesters march past Chase Bank
This was the group’s second march, and was noticeably bigger than the last one. At around 500 people, the protesters were able to draw the attention of pedestrians, commuters, and local businesses as they passed by.
“I think the main thing is to raise awareness,” said 58-year-old Shannon Commers, a substance abuse counselor. “The people have to be aware that there is a problem and that it’s up to all of us to be a part of the solution.”
“If you are the average American and you don’t recognize that there is something wrong with the way the system is run right now, then I encourage you to come to one of our events, or educate yourself, to really see that the government and private corporations don’t have the people’s best interests at heart,” said Sara Cramer, a 22-year-old deli worker.
Occupy Boise is part of the Occupy Together movement, which was spurred by the September 17 Occupy Wall Street protest. Protests continue on Wall Street and have now spread to more than 1,000 cities and towns across the nation.
Originally the protesters planned to march from the Anne Frank Memorial through the city and up to the Capitol Building. Their plans changed when the Boise City Police informed them that they did not have enough manpower to block the streets for the planned route. Protesters complained that they had submitted the necessary paperwork to City Hall, and that they were being unfairly treated. The group changed its original plans, and ended up marching back and forth on the sidewalks downtown.
The common theme of the Occupy protests is a frustration with corporate influence in politics. Protesters claim that the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans controls a disproportionate amount of the nation’s wealth, and that the other 99 percent of the country needs to come together and pressure politicians to enact systemic reforms that level the playing field.
“The people are frustrated with how 1 percent seems to call the shots and the other 99 percent are ignored,” said Steve Walker, a 57-year-old caregiver.
“It’s the system we’re inheriting and that we have to live in,” said Evan Bashir, a 23-year-old Boise State student. “As much as we want to be individuals, we’re affected by the system that we’re in. We need both the 99 percent and the 1 percent to realize that. They need to realize that we’re all in this together. I hate to sound so idealistic, but there is a relationship that needs to be balanced, and right now it’s unbalanced.”
- Stephen Foster
- Protesters march past the State Capitol Building
- Stephen Foster
- Protesters chant loudly in front of the State Capitol Building
- Stephen Foster
- Protesters march through Downtown Boise
- Stephen Foster
- A Boise man protests against corporate greed
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
Thank you BW for being one of only 2 news organizations in the TV who has accurately covered and conveyed the primary message behind Occupy Boise! You guys are setting a gold standard for the Treasure Valley media and those of us who are participating in the movement truly appreciate it.
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Occupy Boise?? Do these idiots even know these protests are being organized by some of the richest and most powerful people in the world to bring down capitalism and the USA as we know it?
C'mon people, Boise is a peacul place, let's not get caught up in the hype and hysteria of the more cosmopolitan cities.
Sometimes I wonder about every day people and what they say....and how they come up with their comments...It's amazing what you read and hear....The man that wrote the comment on Occupy Boise ???? Where do you get your education ??? Whats going on in the U.S. is we the peoples business...not unless you think Boise is a distant plant, instead of a state in the U.S.....What goes on in another part of the nation does effect us in one way or another....do your research before you say things....AND PLEASE DON'T VOTE...WE DON'T NEED YOUR KIND AT THE POLLS....
I have to comment on ....AND PLEASE DON'T VOTE...WE DON'T NEED YOUR KIND AT THE POLLS....
We need all kinds at the polls. The very thought that some are better than others is just wrong! Maybe that's how we got here in the first place. It is time for Americans to take their voices back and speak loudly...
Penny,I agree with Lana .
You are "acting better then others"
Jase is absolutely right about who's organizing it. One name inperticular; George Soros.
Look him up! Do your research! You can't tell somebody else to do theirs when you clearly
Don't do yours. The powerful (RICH) extreme leftists like Soros are the ones making this
all happen and want to end capitalism. Whether you want to admit it or not, anybody with
a brainstem can say completely legitimately that our freedom is thanks to capitalism. Capitalism done right is a great thing and is responsible for the freedoms that we in the united states share. Think for yourself! Don't be a useful idiot. Read and think and find
out for yourself. I challenge you to do your research on Soros and see for yourself what
he is behind. See if you'll occupy our city then.
This Saturday Oct 22 there is a march meeting at 2:30 and at Anne Frank Memorial and starting at 4:30. If you have lost money in your 401k,lost your job,unemployed,under employed or sick and tired of losing your rights, show up and stand up before it is to late.
Capitalism is no worse than the person profiting by it. I can't buy the idea that it is okay to take advantage of the very population that keeps capitalism thriving to satisfy insatiable greed. Eventually that system falls apart and brings us to where we are now...or maybe even worse, if it isn't adjusted. If I am not physically at the 10/22 rally, I will be their in spirit...IT IS TIME FOR THE VOICES OF ALL TO BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR!
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