Protesters Will Occupy Colorado Springs Around Clock
Protesters with the Occupy Wall Street movement will now be occupying Colorado Springs around the clock, with no plans to stop. On Friday, some protesters started sleeping on the corner of Bijou and Tejon Streets, near Acacia Park.
“As we grow, hopefully we’ll have a village here,” said Jason Warf, an organizer. “We would eventually like to be how New York is set up.”
Warf said a police officer stopped over the weekend to talk to protesters about the city’s ban on camping, but drove away without ticketing anyone. Protesters said another officer stopped early Monday and told them to take down their tents. Protesters complied and no tickets were issued.
“I know we do have an ordinance here locally against the homeless living in parks, but there’s a difference between occupying and camping,” said Warf, citing First Amendment rights.
Warf said protesters plan to keep sleeping on the street. He said he plans to meet with the Colorado Springs city attorney’s office this week to discuss occupying the streets throughout the night.
CSPD Sgt. Steve Noblitt said the campers would be in violation of the city’s camping ban if they’re actions continued.
Sunday marked the tenth day for the Occupy Colorado Springs protests. KRDO Newschannel 13 talked to protesters who are doctors, nurses, hairstylists and stay at home moms.
They said what they share is anger and dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, citing the wars, bank bailouts, tax rate for the wealthy and corporate influence on politicians.
“I don’t think people in this country realize how much of the legislation is actually written by lobbyists,” said protester Larry Tucker.
“We need to take that power back away from the corporations and back to the people,” said Raven Martinez.
Organizers said the movement continues to grow. The Occupy Colorado Springs Facebook page has nearly 800 fans. Organizers said on their best days so far, close to 100 people have taken to the streets.
They said they don’t plan to stop protesting until they see results.
One passerby to Sunday’s protest said he just hopes protesters remember their cause on election day.
“The bottom line, if you want change you have to do one thing, that’s go to the ballot box,” said William Brooks. “You’ve got to exercise your right to vote because without that, all this is all window dressing. You’re going to have those in Washington, Republicans and Democrats, that are just going to ignore you.”
For more information on Occupy Colorado Springs you can email occupycoloradosprings@gmail.com, find them on Facebook , or on Twitter at @occupycosprings.
