Occupy Muncie is still going strong, despite its members being without electricity.
Almost a week ago, the Delaware County Commissioners decided to shut off the outside electricity at the Delaware County Building. The occupiers had been using the outlets for warming drinks, charging cell phones and keeping laptops charged in order to live stream online from the location. Now, they have begun to adapt to not having electricity.
"The electricity being off really hasn't affected us," Jeff Campbell said. "It really has made us stronger." Campbell has been a member of the occupation since it began on Oct. 19.
"After I heard about it [the occupy movement], I decided to come here and be a face, not a number," Campbell said.
Since the electricity has been off, people in the community have been coming down and donating things like warm food, coffee, and plastic totes to store things in.
"People have been really generous," Campbell said. "We get donations pretty much every day."
Chad Larimore has been at the County Building since the occupation began. He does not think the lack of electricity has affected the morale of the group.
"Since we're outside and we weren't using much [electricity] to begin with, we're all right," Larimore said. "It's not that much of an adjustment."
The participants of the occupation have begun to put groups together to talk to the county about the electricity. They are also beginning to organize their demands and get them ready to present to the city.
"We've been trying to have some dialogue between ourselves and the county," Larimore said. "There's no reason we can't settle minor differences like a couple of bucks worth of electricity usage per week or any potential complaints that might arise."
Even with the lack of electricity and the weather growing cold, the group is not backing down.
"The bottom line is we're here to stay," Larimore said. "The problems in this country have been ignored for far too long. It's time for a change."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
