On 11-11-11 OccupySpringfieldMO held a rally across from Jordan Valley Park at an empty field where 8 of the groups members were arrested for trespassing. Four other members of the group were given citations for hanging a banner from a nearby parking garage. The site of the rally was to protest the use of eminent domain by the city when the property was not being used for the public good. The site is currently owned by John Q Hammons and was originally to be used for a hotel near the convention center. JQH currently has no plans for the property. Several deadlines have passed for construction to begin, and the city could purchase the site back for $1 per the contract with JQH. Many Occupy Springfield MO members had dollar bills on their clothes, signs, or held them up saying they wanted to buy the property back for the people. Some local media photos and video can be viewed of the protests and arrests. http://www.news-leader.com/...
On 11-12-11 OccupySpringfieldMO was present for a Republican party meeting at a public library in Springfield. Those in attendance said their questions and voices were heard only after the library told the Republicans that the Occupiers would be allowed in the meeting which was held in a public venue. http://www.rawstory.com/...
Overall, it was a productive weekend, and the group will hold their weekly General Assembly at the local IBEW union hall on Weds. evening at 6 pm. They are planning more weekly protests and activities for future weeks.
The funniest part of the protest on Friday was that the Springfield police locked their keys in the running paddy wagon and could not transport the 8 arrested until squad cars were brought in to transport them. The Occupy group marched to the jail to set up vigil outside until the 8 arrested were booked and released. Below are some videos of the arrests and of the police locking themselves out of their van. http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/...