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Signs denouncing corporate greed bobbed above the crowd late Saturday morning as Occupy Johnson City participants marched down the sidewalk along West State of Franklin Road toward Downtown Square.
The solidarity event made its way to Johnson City following a string of protests in big cities like New York, Atlanta and Chicago. Those who gathered in the parking lot across from McDonald’s on West Walnut Street had a variety of homemade signs with slogans like “More education, less war” and “We are here for the needy, not the greedy.”
Chants of “We are the 99 percent” rang from the crowd of more than 100 once they descended downtown with the help of Johnson City police who stopped traffic so the string of people could walk through busy intersections. Sgt. Van Mominee, with the Johnson City Police Department’s Community Policing Unit, said he and other officers were there to safeguard the participants as they exercised their civil rights.
When asked what it means to have an international protest make its way to a city of about 60,000 people, East Tennessee State University student Steven Garnett said local interest in the occupy movement “shows that people are getting tired of how things are.”
“The mainstream media is really making it look like this movement is a lot of people who don’t have jobs who are on welfare or whatever, but the truth is even here in our Occupy Johnson City we have people with full-time jobs, people with degrees and full-time jobs, college students, business owners, mothers, daughters, nurses — you name it,” he said. “People are coming out and representing the people, not just the unemployed, who are also here.”
The demographic present at Occupy Johnson City was hard to define, as even those too young to walk were part of the action. People living outside Johnson City came, too, including a noted author.
“It is a mixture,” said Barbara Kingsolver, of Meadowview, Va., author of “The Poisonwood Bible” and several other novels. “There are people here in a stroller and you see a lot of white hair. I would say this group represents every decade of life, every walk of life.”
Taking part in an international movement was exciting for Kingsolver, who said Saturday’s event is the beginning of something huge since Occupy already made its way to Johnson City by the fourth week of its origination on Wall Street.
“I think there are millions of people who agree with us and I think that before you know it, you’ll be hearing from all of us,” she said.
The number of participants were somewhat surprising to Garnett, who attended Occupy Johnson City planning meetings that consisted of about 30 people. He says the Johnson City Assembly group has put on marches for other causes before, but with small participation. The response to Occupy Johnson City may have come from the national attention the movement has received in the past few weeks.
“I think it’s charging up.” Kingsolver said. “The 99 percent of people who would like their government to look out better for people rather than profits. That 99 is everywhere. It just takes a little longer in small cities to reach a critical mass, but it hasn’t taken very long. If you notice, this started on Wall Street about a month ago and now it’s everywhere.”
The Occupy Wall Street movement and others it has spawned continue to draw criticism for it not having any certain demand and for the way decisions are made collectively with no designated leadership. The Johnson City solidarity event followed the same format. Kingsolver explained that Occupy surrounds basic principles and its collaborative decision-making shows what democracy looks like.
“It is a movement in its early stages that’s getting on its feet,” she said. “If you look at the signs here everyone agrees on certain principles of mercy for people, principles about distributing the wealth of this country more fairly and principles of humanitarian kindness.”
Though opinions may differ for each individual taking part in the Occupy movement, Garnett says it’s an opportunity to gather individuals for a cause that affects each of them in some way.
“I think the good thing about this particular movement is that it’s so many people coming together and everybody kind of has different concerns, but we all are starting to realize that all of these problems stem from the same place basically and that’s corporate greed,” he said.
As Occupy unfolds, Garnett said the Johnson City Assembly will possibly help plan additional events. Attendees like Kingsolver look for Saturday’s solidarity event to be one of others to come.
“I think a whole lot of us hope to participate as this continues,” she said. “I think it’s a very exciting moment in political history. I think this is going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
SouthernSusan writes:
October 16, 2011
6:29 AM
About BOA's $5 charge on debit cards. Their strategy seems to be: Let's make 'em mad at gov regulations, we'll say we need the extra fee to break even. AND THEN we'll offer 1, 2 or 3% back on CREDIT cards. YEAH!! encourage additional debt at a time when consumers are drowning in mortgage and other debt.
I am in the process of closing my BOA accounts, moving them to Eastman Credit Union. It isn't all that hard....waiting on my last direct deposit paycheck to go through, and then I'm DONE with BOA
johnmhames writes:
October 16, 2011
8:27 AM
Someone please name a few of the evil corporations. I hope they are not part of my 401K.
fliptheverses writes:
October 16, 2011
11:40 AM
Actually Zippy, the population of NYC is over 8 million and there are at least 10, 000 "occupants" that are spread out between the financial district and times square. That may only be .125 %, but that's a pretty good turn out for an event that's only come about in the last month. Also yesterday, thousands showed up for other major cities in the US, hundreds in smaller places and yeah, so 30 in little ole Johnson City. European cities followed suit and were occupied yesterday, those numbers are in the tens of thousands. Thousands showed up in Toronto. So fine, there are plenty of other people who understand why these protests are necessary, and no one will feel hurt if you don't like it or if you don't want to be spoken for. But since you implied that you are keen on numbers and math, maybe you take a look at unemployment and poverty statistics, even compare your region to national average. Maybe also look at some demographics, see how many people with advanced degrees are taking minimum wage and entry level positions, because there's no other work. Also, maybe look at some graphs and charts on income distribution, maybe then you'll see that maybe even you are should be making thousands more dollars a year than you do now. Instead it's gone to the fat cats. Crunch the numbers, see how much more a stock trader makes than a brain surgeon. Also, take a lot at the number of zeros politicians receive from corporations for campaigns and stack it against how much legislation those contributors influence. Then, maybe you'll realize why people are out on the streets.
Neurosciencejunkie writes:
October 16, 2011
11:58 AM
Zipadeedooda,
I'm a researcher and student in psychology at the University. I also have a roof over my head and thankfully have just enough money for food after all my bills. Guess what Zippy, looks like I have a job and it looks like I pay taxes too. Oh, and another thing. I support the Occupy Movement.
Is there 99% of the population out there on the streets? Why no. That's a stupid assertion. What we do state is that we are representative of the 99% and it looks like there's a good amount of people that agree. Your line of argument would also assert that people who participated in the civil rights movement (just as an example, not to imply a direct similarity in objective), were not representative of the black population just because the entire black population didn't take the streets in the 60's or that the women's rights movement didn't represent all women merely because not all women were protesting. Even in laboratories scientists don't normally do consensus-based research (research involving the entire population). Instead, we take multiple samples that are representative of the population that is intended for study to gather knowledge of that population, but you're an intelligent person so you probably already knew that right? Your logic is highly flawed and dependent on your own subjective discretion.
Now, you also assert that we don't know why we are out there. I can't speak on behalf of everyone, but from everyone that I've encountered in the movement, especially here in Johnson City, it sounds like people have a pretty good idea why they are participating. Would I know that from sitting in front of a television? Most likely not, and it's not just a large crowd of freeloading "hippies" that you'd probably like to call it. I've encountered the unemployed, business owners, public educators, med school students, undergraduates, devoted mothers, fathers and numerous others, yet you have the nerve to imply that it is just a group of lazy people looking for a handout.
I sounds like it may be you that needs to get the facts straight.
Look, we all know that there is a tremendous amount going wrong in this country, and the people don't feel represented. Freedom of speech has been bought out by the American dollar, and we feel our system has been compromised. I think we can all agree on this, or at least the vast majority. Are we going to have instantaneous changes? Most likely not, but reform has to start somewhere and I admire that the people are choosing to put that back in their hands when our politicians have been bought out. Progress takes time, nonetheless, progress will happen. This momentum and effort must be kept and maintained. We must strive to work together. We all want a better future for us and the generations to come. Has that really became the statement of selfishness? Have we really became convinced of that? Have we really became so jaded by the economic and political dissent that we have forgotten how to care? I would hope not, and for those people on the street, that dream is alive and breathing. It's fighting for air despite such opposition. Don't sell yourself short. Keep fighting the fight for tomorrow.
Raven writes:
October 16, 2011
11:58 AM
They are getting media attention from the liberal media to distract from obaka's horrible and scandal--ridden administration.
zip37602 writes:
October 16, 2011
1:37 PM
No Raven, we are getting media attention because we are making history. You had better get out here and help us before your job (you do work?) goes overseas. Obama is trying to untangle the mess the Bush/Cheney administration left us.
Enos writes:
October 16, 2011
3:43 PM
"All you defenders do is spout rhetoric."
Well there's the pot calling the kettle black.
"I'm certainly no millionaire, but I don't blame the ones who are for my situation."
The right's Stockholm Syndrome continues. You'd rather starve to death than hold your corporate overlords responsible for their actions. Sad, really.
Enos writes:
October 16, 2011
3:59 PM
Zippy, you just don't get it, and from your comments, it's clear that your worldview comes specifically from the NewsCorp propaganda machine (not that any of the other news outlets are much better). This isn't a left or right issue. This isn't the left's version of the Tea Party. The whole system has become so corrupt over the past three decades that it needs major change. Educate yourself on the issue before dismissing it as a temper tantrum. Quit hurting yourself by blindly following those who continue to hurt you.
What the press has reported about OWS is proof that the concept of "Liberal Media" is an outright lie. They're all running scared and spewing lies because they're all owned by the same corporations the movement is fighting against, and you bought in to their lies hook, line, and sinker.
hadEnuff writes:
October 16, 2011
7:34 PM
I have watched the demonstrations on several networks.What blows my mind are several are carrying signs that say down with captialism. Bring on Socialism!!
For God sakes. They cant be serious!! For many centuries, folk in the USA worked very hard, got by on very little and paid their own way through collage. If they became successful and got wealthy, then, thats theirs. It shouldnt be taken away from them to give to others. This is a spoiled society.
The laws that were passed by our government are what allowed our jobs to go overseas. Mine did, after 40 years on the job.(in 1997). Many have left in the past 3 years. Like light bulbs, solar panels etc.
Now, 100 special forces have been sent to Africa....AZ and TX have been begging for that for months, but it didnt do any good. Go figure...
stilldoingit writes:
October 16, 2011
8:38 PM
Aus O'cas, I think you miss the point of the article - it's not about you. If I had a couple of hours to waste, I would go back and count the number of times you typed "I." What we have also learned about you is that you definitely don't suffer from low self-esteem.
dovej writes:
October 16, 2011
8:51 PM
zip...the lack of logic, facts, or anything of real substance in any of your comments is disturbing. I love that apparently everyone in Asheville is a Liberal...hahaha...about the most laughable logic imaginable. If you frame arguments in this fashion, you only make yourself known as a person who lacks critical thinking skills, and therefore, discredit yourself. Calling people names is not the same as making a lucid, valid argument.
Again, the point your are missing, along with every single person who has commented on all of these articles that is against the movement is that no matter how hard you work, no matter how much worse it may be in other countries (which is largely due to our governments policies as dictated by corporations as well), THAT IS NO EXCUSE FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO ACT IRRESPONSIBLY. The issues are completely unrelated.
Stop the name calling, stop the regurgitation of the corporate owned media, and do some legitimate research, and form an opinion based on facts, not on sound bytes. At this point in your life, you have not done the diligence to become an informed critical thinker, or even well versed in your own government or social situation, so stop criticizing and start reading.
dovej writes:
October 16, 2011
9:55 PM
Thank you for proving my point for me.
hadEnuff writes:
October 17, 2011
7:41 AM
to gunzilla: you are exactly right. thanks. if all would look into the background of who is behind this movement and who is footing the bill, they might have second thoughts. it is a conspiracy to do away with our democrocy as we know it and replace it with socialism. combat this at the next election!!!!!!!
black98-3k writes:
October 17, 2011
5:15 PM
Everyone run for cover, the sky is falling. Just because some wackos support the movement, doesnt mean the whole movement is a conspiracy. If that holds water than Bush WAS behind 9/11!
Neurosciencejunkie writes:
October 17, 2011
8:10 PM
Zippy,
Because I am fortunate to have those rights entitles me to not have an opinion on the state of this nation??? Of course, that makes perfect sense Zippy...
It seems that you miss the point of these general assemblies and protests. Progress doesn't happen overnight and takes work. Solutions will not be instantaneous. This takes dialogue, and while congress decides to twiddle their thumbs and concentrate on who they can point the finger at people have decided to take it back into their own hands where it belongs, and you have the nerve to criticize people who wish to have a voice, for people that wish for a true representation, real solutions? You also misrepresent my position. Correct, many people have it much less fortunate than me and deserve better. For some reason, the fact that I want a better future for others makes me selfish and spoiled? Yeah, that makes perfect sense Zippy...
Once again, I think you need to get your facts straight.
It is humorous that you think I'm spoiled. My background is far from it. I've worked and earned everything that I've built for my life. I think it might be you that needs to get off of the self-righteous high horse.
black98-3k writes:
October 18, 2011
10:59 AM
@Gunzilla - facts are facts - Bush is good buddies with the Bin Ladens. If we are guilty through association then you could say that he didn't find and kill Osama because they were old friends. It took a new president to get him. I'm just saying, everthing you read online isn't true, and just because some looney toons are involved doesnt mean its a conspiracy to start a dictatorship. The right will do anything to discredit the left. Sadly, the left is not much better....
black98-3k writes:
October 18, 2011
11:10 AM
@zip - Do you really believe the crap you spew, or do you just like to ruffle feathers? Just reading your posts show that you either do not have the critical thinking skills or you choose not to use them. You ask about the chants- well those are a few of the many. Your post is equivalent to saying the entire GOP is racist because Rick Perry went to Niggerhead Ranch. It may reflect poorly on the individual but not the entire group. You think that the entire group is just a bunch of lazy people that are looking for a hand-out, even though the entire thread here has laid out exactly why people are mad, but you refuse to open your mind enough to consider the cause. Let me ask you, what do you do for a living?
Of.A.Revolution writes:
October 18, 2011
2:47 PM
I wasn't aware that anybody was asking for a handout. To my knowledge, we are saying that we want BIG CORPORATIONS TO QUIT PREYING ON THE AVERAGE CITIZEN!!
Have you seen the prices of items in the stores these days? $6.53 for a gallon of milk! It's absurd! If you live in NC and by chance aren't able to pay your electric bill on time, an unnamed electric company will disconnect your service, and then charge you a $500 reconnect fee. That's not a typo....$500!! Does it matter if you're a senior citizen on a set income? Absolutely not.
There is something wrong with the way things are run when senior citizens, and many other individuals, have to choose between paying for food or their medications not covered by Medicare. You want to yell at those that are "occupying" to go back home....well it would be nice if the banks hadn't foreclosed on those homes. Sure there's no defining, solitary reason for the "occupation," and that's because each individual has a different reason.
You should be steaming mad that the people endowed to teach your children are deemed expendable and are taking a 20% decrease in salary, if not having their position cut entirely. People are getting evicted from their homes because a bank set it up that way. $2500/mo mortgage payment isn't even covering the interest!!
They have held students hostage with ridiculous amounts of debt towards education, which is a human right.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers and continue to hand out exorbitant bonuses to CEO's.
They outsource jobs. Self-explanatory.
It's pathetic when man sacrifices his health for money, and then sacrifices his money to regain his health. This isn't the type of world we should be living in!!
People should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of its people.
flint123 writes:
November 8, 2011
6:48 PM
"When you have a democratic system in which every view can be expressed, there is also a great responsibility imposed on the individual. This is a tremendous freedom that has been granted us. But we have to have the responsibility to exercise it properly". Robert Kennedy. To put it bluntly...have the courage to speak your convictions, not retreat within yourself. Just think of the many hereos in our not so distant history who excercised their right of free speech and brought about great change to our beloved country. Whatever your opinion of the Occupy movement, as an American, surely, you know that these campers are citizens just like you. We have NOT solved our problems as a country. Come, join the conversation. Responsibility begins with you. It doesn't have to happen at OccupyJC, start your conversation at home, with your family and friends. Just care enough to do something, if not for yourself, for your neighbors. Cruelty is too contagious. It is NO where to start.
flint123 writes:
November 8, 2011
7:20 PM
Oh, and I forgot to say something. I love America and our government...by the people, for the people! The America I know will rise above every greedy tactic used by large corporations against it's people. The America I know is too smart to fall asleep at the wheel. The America I know believes in family ties and working hard. The America I know helps their neighbors. The America I know is proud to vote and they expect their vote to be counted! The America I know wants their children to have a good education and have a living that includes good healthcare. The America I know wants to be able to retire and needs the social security they have paid into all their lives. The America I know will not sit by... Occupy movement...is here, move over, tea party.