On Sat., Oct.15, New Haven, Connecticut joined the ever-growing list of cities across America and the world to host an Occupy Wall Street style protest.
Approximately 250 protestors marched across New Haven’s upper green, holding signs and chanting slogans to voice their discontent over various issues. The Occupy Wall Street movement in general is well known for lacking one specific issue at its core, and Occupy New Haven was no exception. Every person had slightly different reasons for showing up.
Some attended because they wanted to see, “An end to corporate personhood,” as one protestor said, “as created by Citizens United v FEC.” He was upset about how the Supreme Court decision allowed corporations to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns. “Our politicians are bought and paid for,” said the protestor.
Others came for broader and more general goals. “Greed here is just as bad as it is everywhere,” said one couple, “And this is our home. That’s why we’re here.”
Regardless of the motives, the occupiers are prepared to remain in New Haven for as long as necessary. People brought tents and boxes of food. Then they held a “general assembly;” a meeting of everyone at the location to decide on important information, such as future meeting times.
The assembly also served to spread important information, like restroom locations and the arrival of food supplies. Organizers used the Occupy Wall Street movement’s signature “Human Microphone” to keep everyone organized. One person would stand on a bench and shout out a couple of words, and the front layer of the crowd would repeat the words back so even the people all the way in the back of the crowd would be able to hear the important information.
The movement also maintained organization with a distinct set of hand signals. During discussion at the general assembly, waving fingers in the air meant approval, pointing fingers down meant disapproval, and fingers straight-forward meant neutral. People used these motions throughout the assembly to vote on motions.
“There are no leaders here,” said organizer Jess Bachinski, adding that, “it is very important that everyone’s voice is always heard.”
Further hand signals allowed attendees to offer factual information, ask clarifying questions, and most importantly, allow members to block suggestions that they feel could worsen relations with the plentiful number of law enforcement officials scattered across the green.
Much like its counterpart in New York City, Occupy New Haven appears to have the necessary level of energy and dedication to remain an active protest.
“We’re here to build the type of community we want to see outside [of the movement],” said one protestor, “and I’m hopeful that that will happen eventually.”
