AUSTIN -- The Occupy Austin group continues to grow. Their Facebook page has more than 8,000 supporters.
“Right now I think it's more about the people's expression about what's upsetting them,” said protester William Jerome. “Everyone has their own opinion. Everyone's got what they want to say. I think overall, it's about the people taking control again.”
The group is modeling its protest on the Occupy Wall Street movement that began in New York in mid-September.
On Thursday in Occupy Austin’s first full day of protest at Austin City Hall, an estimated 1,200 showed up; several dozen stayed through the night.
“We're just done. We're fed up. We're fed up with it,” said protester Jonathan Vann.
The protests in Austin have remained vocal and crowded but well-behaved. Overnight the group stayed standing and sitting along the sidewalk with a line of poster board messages demanding change.
Drivers passing by frequently honked in support. City leaders also stopped by.
On Friday morning Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo came by and spoke with the protesters. The protest campaign has remained peaceful.
“It's incredible that our mutual anger is what brought us together, but there's been so much love and unity,” said Vann.
Officers allowed the group to put up a small tent on the grounds at City Hall. With banners and messages taped to the tent, it is serving as a monument. Camping at City Hall is against City ordinance. The group is limited to the one tent.
Other City leaders including Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and council members Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison also visited with protesters.
“I'm really interested in the issues that concern them," said Tovo. "What's motivated them to come out here and spend in some cases the night at City Hall? What are some of the things they'd like to see different about the City?"
Occupy Austin released an official list of its demands and goals. It lists four items:
- This movement is about democracy. We demand that the government be truly responsive to those it represents. We demand an end to the massive corporate influence blocking the voice of the people by eliminating corporate personhood and limiting monetary contributions to political campaigns and lobbying.
- This movement is about economic security. We demand effective reforms to prevent banks and financial institutions from causing future economic crises.
- This movement is about corporate responsibility. We demand strict repercussions for corporations and institutions who cause serious financial damage to our country and its taxpayers.
- This movement is about financial fairness. We demand tax reforms to ensure that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes.
“We've been able to have a dialogue about all sorts and ranges of issues, and it really is very human to come together like this, to put aside our differences and come together with what brings us together,” said Vann.
On Friday the group is planning a sidewalk march to the Bank of America building in downtown Austin at 4:00 p.m. Organizers say they will continue to protest outside City Hall as well. Protesters will work in shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
