Occupy Wall Street to Occupy Utica
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: October 6, 2011
A demonstration that started on Wall Street in New York City weeks ago is now spreading across the nation.
Today marks the 20th day of the Occupy Wall Street Rally where people are coming out to voice many frustrations like income inequality and corporate greed.
This time next week people will be rallying at the Liberty Bell Corner to occupy the City of Utica.
Joe Bepko says it all started with social media.
"I posted on Facebook Occupy Utica question mark and I got so much response to it in 24 hours. By Thursday last week we had a meeting with 12 people about it," explained Bepko.
And it grew.
"People have been very responsive. The last time I looked at it, it said 95 people were attending. It's probably over 100 by now," says Bepko.
The Occupy Utica page has over 360 likes.
Joe says this national movement has a real chance of getting attention. He says on the 13th, Uticans will come out for different reasons and motivations.
"I think it's about corporate influence on politics ultimately and protecting the rights of citizens from the threat of corporations on their freedoms," said Bepko.
Wall Street protestors have been staking out for days forcing police officers to be on watch.
Hundreds of protestors have been arrested over the last few weeks. Joe says Occupy Utica will be a peaceful demonstration.
"Everyone that has been at the meetings are on the same page. This is a nonviolent protest. Even getting arrested distracts from the message," explained Bepko.
Utica Police say they have spoken with Joe and are planning for October 13th.
"Whenever you talk about protests with a large sum of people you have concerns as the police obviously. But, it has been portrayed to us a peaceful demonstration. If that is the case the police will be there to make sure nothing happens to the protestors and no crimes are committed," said Utica's Police Information Officer, Sgt. Steve Hauck.
Joe says the next meeting before the demonstration on the 13th will be this Sunday night at six, at the Other Side near the Uptown Theatre in Utica.
