CNN video....
The Occupy Des Moines/Occupy Iowa groups had a visit yesterday from a CNN reporter and coincidentally had been working within the General Assembly to finalize an official plan to Occupy the first in the nation caucuses coming up in January. The article hit CNN's site yesterday afternoon HERE, and a follow up live Skype interview just aired this morning. The group has already marched on Obama's headquarters in town, protested arrests of activists here (including a 14 year old juvenile, who has a hearing tomorrow), done visits to Wells Fargo (forcing them to close for the afternoon), marched on the governor's mansion, addressed Republican candidates at local events and has worked with both the governor and mayor to establish a camp. Details over the fold.
Statement on their site here..OFFICIAL INVITE
As the first state in the 2012 presidential nomination process, we are obligated to set a new standard for discourse. The status quo is unsustainable and the manipulative partisanship unacceptable. The nature of our current American political scene is to divide and conquer rather than to pursue productive problem-solving to address the People's needs. During the caucus season, the disconnect between politicians and their voters is at its smallest in Iowa, while the political process is in the national media limelight. We will utilize the notoriety afforded to Iowa in this pivotal moment. This attention, coupled with growing support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, gives us the opportunity to propagate sweeping economic reform.
Join us in Iowa this winter.
Another great article on the DSM group on HUFFINGTON POST....
"We are the most sickeningly polite protest you will ever see," joked Jordan Riley, 19, a mainstay at the nearly three-week-long demonstration. For now, the number of people participating ranges depending on the day.
And as to the whereabouts of his fellow protesters on Thursday afternoon, Riley answered simply, "Some are at school, but most are at work."
Occupy Des Moines encompasses a two square block area bordering a residential neighborhood on two sides and a busy four lane road on the others. The area could be described most accurately as a tent community, when you consider its array of amenities, and the care demonstrators have exhibited to maintain it.
You can find out more, ask questions, watch live stream of the GA's etc here on their FACEBOOK PAGE.
UPDATE....members of OccupyDSM will speak on the Ed Show tonight about the action planned for the upcoming caucuses.