We used to do lots of artsy and volunteering activities locally and traveling on the weekends upon our arrival in Jacksonville two and a half years ago; then came school. I began to get bored with the city thinking it had nothing left to offer. I had to remember that I had stopped looking. Getting back on the scene, I realize we missed a lot. Just because we weren’t there, the fun and engaging activities were still going constantly.

Occupy Wall Street started in New York City as a few hundred marchers. There was but minimal coverage for the first week as occupiers used their phones and social media to help spread the word of their feelings of an unjust government; they are the 99%. I was excited about the event, but somewhat sad that I couldn’t afford to be with them or support them somehow. They camped and marched and got pepper-sprayed in the sun, wind, and rain. I didn’t know if it would last.

got ney?

Soon, Occupy began to spread to Chicago, Boston, and LA. Lucky me, Anonymous organized an event in Jacksonville. The first General Assembly would be October 8th at noon. There would be signs, arguments, sharing, and media. I still can’t decide if the crowd turnout was more or less than I expected, but I was glad to be there regardless. We heard from children in high school, graduates that can’t find jobs, people who had jobs that can’t support their families, others struggling to support themselves, and the senior crowd supporting the future. There was also an outspoken eight-year old, “We are the 99%, we are the 99%!”

It was great to see people who felt strongly on certain topics and being able to voice their concerns to any camera willing to capture their opinion and share it with the world. There were mothers explaining this situation to their kids; they might not fully grasp it yet, but this concerns all the 99% and will greatly affect the 1%, also, if successful.