INDIANAPOLIS — About 1,000 people marched and protested for around two hours from the Veterans Memorial Plaza to Monument Circle Saturday, standing up peacefully against the one-percent of wealthiest Americans.
Chants of "We are the 99 percent" and "This is what democracy looks like," could be heard around the protests.
A Ball State student was one of the Occupy Indianapolis organizers. Kai Bennett, supervisor for the Ball State club Students for Creative Social Activism, voiced his opinions to the crowd using a microphone.
"We have gathered today as citizens of a new democracy. We have come from a world in which people have spoken for us, controlled us and used us for their profit, their entertainment and to serve their own interests," Kai Bennett said to the crowd.
Ball State students from the Inquiries in Global Studies and Inquiries in Contemporary American Civilization Honors classes taught by Jason Powell, assistant professor of history, were seen holding signs. Powell brought some students to downtown Indianapolis to get involved.
"In my classes, we talk a lot about social justice and poverty, and how to make a difference," he said.
Freshman English literature major Ben Linser said he wants to see corporate agendas out of politics.
"I hope we can finally separate the government from corporations, and stop the bribery and just everything that's ruining America," Linser said.
Freshman musical theater major Sara Dreibelbis said, "I just think the state America is in right now is f---ing a lot of people over. It's not fair, and no one is recognizing this, because we're all too comfortable where we are. Where we're going now is we're lifting the one-percent and we're doing nothing for ourselves."
Dreibelbis agreed with critics' comments about the ‘Occupy' movement's lack of centralized goals or focus. She said, however, the ideas proposed at the Occupy Indianapolis rally are "an important step." Marchers could be heard that day voicing angst over issues including education, health care, war and unemployment.
"Personally, I think the current system of capitalism is outdated ... We need to synthesize the ideals of socialism with capitalism together." said Adam Renner, history department graduate assistant and Occupy Indianapolis marcher. Renner believes industries like health care, insurance and education should be nationalized, not be privatized industries.
During the march, senior painting and visual communications major Nick Jones was seen giving a water bottle to Brad Melton, a homeless man sitting down, who held a cardboard sign that read "Homeless –Hungry-God bless." The sign contained a drawn-on cross and a smiley face.
John Joanette, executive director of Indianapolis-based Horizon House, a non-profit agency which assists the homeless, said government is "hurting the most vulnerable citizens" and he sees an increase in "families and individuals that played by the rules their whole life" at the facility he works at in Indianapolis.
Organizers said citizens gathered in small groups to discuss various economic and social issues and create lists of grievances and demands. Over time, public comments have been published via Occupy Indianapolis Facebook pages, a blog and a Twitter account.
First Sgt. Dave Bursten, Indiana State Police public information officer, said citizens had a permit to protest and "[protesters are] exercising their constitutional right, which is what this country is all about" but "they cannot infringe on the rights of other people." Protesters were told by Indiana State Police they cannot pitch tents and sleep outside of the Indiana Statehouse. State Police told people they could stay on Statehouse property that night only if they remained standing.
Bennett said a march will be held in Muncie on Oct. 18. The club's planning meeting will occur at the MT Cup, on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 7-9 p.m.
Muncie March planning meeting
- Tuesday Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.
- MT Cup
- March is scheduled for Oct. 18
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