Occupy Morristown Joins Peace Vigil on the Green
P.J. Saunders of Morris Township is starting an Occupy Morristown movement from 6 to 7 p.m. on the Green
A consultant on human rights issues is organizing an "Occupy Morristown" rally on the Green from 6 to 7 p.m. this evening.
P.J. Saunders, a Morris Township resident, said she wanted to "stand in solidarity" with Occupy Wall Street, the grassroots movement in Manhattan's Zuccotti Park that began on Saturday, Sept. 17. Participants are protesting what they view as corporate greed, corruption and economic inequality.
Since the demonstrations began, Saunders has visited Occupy Wall Street three times, and said that while at first she was concerned about possible confrontations, she found the area has a "very friendly, community feel."
During her most recent trip on Tuesday, Saunders said approximately 300 people were there, many of whom brought their children along.
"There's a kitchen there and a lot of food has been donated and anyone can go eat," she said. "You can make a donation but a low-income person can go and get a meal. Children are coloring. It was a large crowd but it didn't feel chaotic or unsafe in any way."
Because the issue of economic injustice has been on her mind for some time, Saunders said she felt called to act and will stand with New Jersey Peace Action, a group that holds a regular vigil every Friday evening.
"I have a lot of friends in the Morristown area who are really struggling economically," she said. "They're having difficulty making their rent. I started thinking, 'What can I do?' I thought maybe we could go and hold up a banner and be a focal point. I do not know how many will come out, but we have to start somewhere."
Saunders said she anticipates a very positive response in Morristown as well.
"I think a lot of people will be interested and a lot of people will have questions about what we saw in New York," Saunders said. "If I can, I'm going to do this every Friday night. It's kind of funny because I've never done anything like this before but we'll see how it goes."
Elissa
5:15 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
Wish I could be there - someone from Patch please be there to take photos!
Louis C. Hochman
9:12 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
We had someone there earlier tonight and will have a story + video up in a little while.
Madelyn Hoffman
12:28 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
@Jehosaphat, the Occupy Wall Street movement is made up of low-to-moderate income people, everyone except the wealthiest 1% of the population. The more accurate we are in our descriptions and comments about the Occupy Wall Street movement, the better off everyone will be.
Chris Love All Cayes
11:19 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
OCCUPY MORRISTOWN ON FACEBOOK NOW -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/303946362954197/
beenydiane@yahoo.com
3:37 am on Thursday, October 20, 2011
It's not of question of "Will Occupy Wall St make a difference"? It HAS made a difference and WILL CONTINUE to make a difference.
Maybe it hasn't filtered EVERYWHERE yet (although I would think almost everyone has at least heard of it by now) but it is growing and expanding.
And to those of us who care and have been waiting for something like this to catch hold - THIS IS MAJOR!!!
This is one of the most exciting and inspirational movements I've ever seen.
A lot of us were inspired by the Feb 15th, 2003 global uprising against war in Iraq - but THIS is far more sweeping and encompassing and is continuing to gain momentum.
The message that "We are the 99%" and that we are going to unite and stop being controlled by the 1% is very powerful and inclusive.
We can take responsibility for ourselves and each other.
Anyone who wants to share that vision of a more equitable, compassionate, just, humane, ecological, creative, sane and more loving society, culture and world is welcome to join with us.
If you want to scoff, ridicule, hate and judge us - go ahead - but you're missing out on a FABULOUS and AMAZING adventure/party/journey...and for your OWN sake, I do hope that you change your mind as we are changing the world!!!
What ELSE do you want? An engraved invitation ??!!
Bryan
11:17 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I laughed when I saw these protesters on the Green. Wall Street I understand, I'd even understand Trenton... but Morristown? Really?