If Berkeley were the size of New York City, 20000 people would have been marching around downtown today. As it was, some 250 people gathered, rallied, chanted, and/or marched. From Bank of America where the rally begin to Chase, to Citibank and finally Wells Fargo 'The People. United.' made their voices heard.
For an hour downtown Berkeley was rocked by chanting
The People. United. Shall Never Be Defeated!
We. Are. The 99 Percent!
You. Are. The 99 Percent!
All Day, All Week...Occupy...Berkeley!
Whose Street? Our Street!
Banks Got Bailed Out. We Got Sold Out!
and supportive horn blowing as OccupyBerkeley participants marched around the downtown area and through MLK park, giving many a spectator and Farmer's Market shopper the opportunity to capture us in pictures and video.
First came the rally at noon, in which OccupyWallStreet's manifesto was read with the people's mike by the woman in the flag in the picture, followed by a rabble-rousing speech. Then the march and afterwards open mike time.
At 2:30 the seventh General Assembly of OccupyBerkeley was held. The major decision of Assembly was to begin the occupation of Martin Luther King Park, one block away from downtown, when we learned that some ten to fifteen people were planning on camping out there tonight.
Entering MLK park
The Occupation of Berkeley has begun.
Photo Links:
Here's a cornucopia of pictures from the day's events (165 of them!).
Previous diaries:
OccupyBerkeley. The Night Before.
OccupyBerkeley Report. A Vietnam Veteran Speaks.
OccupyBerkeley. Drizzle, Democracy and Future Demonstration.
Occupy Links:
Occupy Berkeley website
Occupy Berkeley Facebook
Occupy Oakland
Occupy San Francisco