Politics & Government

Update: Occupy Protesters Make Downtown Statement

For the second Wednesday commute in a row, Occupy Walnut Creek demonstrate against economic inequities, political-corporate ties.

The shoppers mingled with protesters in downtown Walnut Creek. Around 4 o'clock the protesters began to take over, dominating the four corners of Main Street and Mount Diablo Boulevard.

It was the second Wednesday evening commute demonstration in a row for Occupy Walnut Creek, the extension into the Diablo Valley of the national movement to object to the country's economic inequities.

Protester Mary Izett of Lafayette said she liked the way the local movement is growing organically and spontaneously. She and a friend were talking about the New York Wall Street protests about a month ago, wondering if it could happen in the East Bay. A week later, Izett received an email notice of preparations for the Oct. 12 protest in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Izett's protest memories go back to the anti-Vietnam war movement in the 1960s. She remembers a half-million marchers stretching along Geary Street in San Francisco as far as the way could see.

"The press was fairer in those days," Izett recalled.

Occupy Walnut Creek numbered about 230 at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, with sign-wavers occupying all four corners of the intersection of Main Street and Mount Diablo Boulevard plus the sidewalk in front of Bank of America, one door north of the intersection. The colorful protesters gathered under the bright blue city banners, 10 feet up light standards, that say, "Escape the Ordinary at the Creek."

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Demonstrators chanted, "Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like."

A sampling of Wednesday's signs:

  • It's patriotic and fair when the rich pay their share.
  • Our vote is our future.
  • The average bonus on Wall Street in 2010 — $128,000 + salary.
  • Create a non-profit infrastructure bank. Put America to work.

Nurses union activist Melissa Thompson, a Registered Nurse at Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, turned out "in support of the community and the Main Street Contract" — a union initiative to heal America and tax Wall Street.

Jill Starr of Alamo carried a sign that read: "Support Our Teachers." She said her grandson is a fifth-grader.

Teacher is one of the most important jobs in the world, Starr said. Teachers are underpaid, she added, and inner city schools are neglected.

Occupy Walnut Creek plans to move next Wednesday's 4 p.m. protest to Ygnacio Valley Road by the BART station with more visibility to evening commuters.


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