This is my first diary and I'm also a protest virgin. I took a walk in my little town this morning to see how Wall Street in Chico is being occupied. There were about 125 people who marched from Wall Street to the city park, then through downtown. Downtown is busy on a Saturday morning, with the Farmer's Market drawing lots of local folks.
And, it was a beautiful fall day.
During the general rally, I saw this little boy in the bushes, with a piece of paper in his lap. I asked him if he would show me his sign....there you go. For me, it's all about the kids. They deserve a better world.
In my little town I am just one of the folks - working hard, doing my daily business, taking care of family and friends. I've never been a political activist. Don't get me wrong; I feel strongly about certain issues, but I've never had the time nor inclination to speak out or protest. My sister calls me "Middle America." I am the 99%. About 10 days ago seestah (smileycreek) brought the Occupy Wall Street movement to my attention. My reaction was swift, and deep. I thought, "Thank God." I have been concerned about the course our country is taking, and it has felt stagnant and stuck, and just wrong. I worry about my students at the community college, and my grandsons, and every American who is getting a raw deal. This movement moved me, and so I marched, at 59 years young, for the first time in my life. I figure if I can even be one body, one voice, on one day...then at least I have done something.
This is the story of that day.
The rally began at city hall, where the Hands of Chico are an icon of our little town.
I had fun talking with many of the protestors. I ran into a dear friend from way back. She is having a tough go of it. "I have just barely enough money" she said - but enough to have cable TV and internet which, to her, are essential. She is very active in the community peace marches, and Occupy Chico as well. I think she was surprised to see me doing such a radical thing...after all, I am Middle America and people tend to think I'm pretty conservative. Looks can be deceiving. It adds to the shock factor!!
I didn't know what the masks were about, so I asked a woman I was standing next to, and I learned about Anonymous. She told me about the movie V For Vendetta and my education about revolutionaries continued.
Some of the best signs were T-shirts:
One of the things that concerned me was what my students would think if they saw me protesting and marching, sign in hand. I teach nursing at our community college - one of the most important lessons we give our nursing students is how to be professional. What would they think of their teacher walking around downtown making a "spectacle of herself"? I felt very reassured when I got a message from a former student later in the day - she said "I saw you downtown today. You might have gotten me in one of your pictures :-). You guys were awesome!" I wrote back a note of thanks, thinking to myself "This one's for you too, Sarah."
This young man was one of the organizers of the march. I loved his energy - and he was very concerned that we all made it across the streets safely.
This fellow below was awesome. Before I saw his sign he had already captured my attention. I'm sure he was a drill sergeant at one time - he was leading some of the chants, one being to the cadence of the marine/army boot camp military calls:
I don't know what we've been told
But corporate greed has got to go
Sound off
One, two
Sound off
Three, four...
This man said he was downtown earlier in the week, with a sign. Someone sneered at him and asked him if he's a communist. He replied "No sir, I am a Christian."
A movement that encompasses humor, compassion, and irony.....As we were occupying four corners at 2nd and Wall streets, a truck with four red-neck looking gents drove by. There was a confederate flag flying from the antenna. They hooted and hollered in support. Damn, wish I had a picture of that!!!
My friend Gail came out with her partner Kathy. They were on their way to Peet's Coffee, but spent the morning walking and chanting. Swear to god, Kathy smiled the whole time and said how good it felt to be supporting change - "Just like in the 60s!"
And so, on this one day I listened, and learned, and became inspired. I eavesdropped on this gentleman's conversation, and found that these rallies will happen every Saturday morning. And, I checked in with the facebook page for Occupy Chico - assemblies will be happening daily for the next week, gearing up for the biggie on October 15. I will be there.
Create Change: Occupy Together - One little town at a time.
And put this country back in the hands of the people.
Follow on Twitter @Occupy Chico.