More than 2,500 “Occupy Orlando” marchers came together downtown Orlando at Senator Beth Johnson Park to express their disgust and protest the corporate greed and corruption which have brought the U.S. economy to near destruction.
To chants of “banks got bailed out,” “we got sold out,” and “What does a Democracy look like?” “This is what democracy looks like,” the energized “Occupy Orlando” marchers made their way along Orange Avenue, onto South Street and to Garland Avenue, before returning to the the Park. Several stops were made along to way, including at Bank of America, to call-out and shame those who were responsible for wrecking the U.S. economy.
As marchers made the three mile trek, there was overwhelming support from passers-by, those sitting at outdoor cafes and motorists who honked their horns continously as they drove by. Some even stopped their vehicles and joined in the march along the way.
They came from all across Central Florida, from the millennials to the elderly — even an 8-month old baby — to make their voices heard and to protest the current state of affairs of the 99 percent, many of whom are without jobs, have lost their homes and must now choose between buying groceries and paying rent.
Dan, who was present during the Vietnam protests, thinks that the march today is an important first step. He believes that the solutions to many of America’s current problems can be solved with strong leadership and vision – leaders willing to take a chance.
“I think what’s happening here is important because it is an expression of democracy in a situation where we are facing dissolution of the economy and this nation,” he said. “It’s not about our streets, it’s about our nation and its time people spoke up.”
The fundamental problems are lack of jobs and the housing crisis, Dan added.
“It’s all about jobs. In fact, the motto should be, ‘it’s jobs stupid’ and it has been jobs for 10 years,” he said. “If you solve the jobs problem, if you guarantee a job to anyone that wants one….it’s going to give them hope, give them something to look forward to and they will spend money.” He believes that the housing crisis could be resolved by resetting mortgages to current values, less five percent.
And what does Dan think will be the end result of all the marches and protests taking place across America? He would like to see an independent party that represents the middle class and those uncounted independents.
“I would love to see a party of independents come out of this, that represents the middle class which is being wiped out,” he declared. “It’s the middle class that’s going to bring this back together.”
Shawn, a graphics designer, who lives in Daytona and is fortunate to have a job at a theme park near Orlando, came to make his voice heard. A highly accomplished graphics designer, he and his family scrape by.
“By the time I spend $400/month on gas, $300 on rent and $700 on food and utilities, there is nothing left,” he said. “I worry about not having the means to send my kids to college when the time comes.”
He expressed his outrage for the bail out of the banks by the Obama administration, on the premise that they were too big to fail. But worse than that, nothing was required of them in return for being bailed out with taxpayers’ money, no one has been indicted or gone to jail and there was nothing for the middle class, he said.
“There is power in numbers and that’s what we have. We are the 99 percent,” said Shawn. “Those in leadership positions and the plutocrats have got to be paying attention and should begin to worry.”
And what’s next for “Occupy Orlando”?
The movement expects to continue to grow in even larger numbers, keeping the pressure on decision-makers to effect change for the betterment of all society, and not just for the 1 percent. They plan on continuing to speak out and make their voices heard.
Although the organizational structure of “Occupy Orlando” has been kept deliberately loose, those responsible for coordinating the rally said, they considered today a huge success.
