EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) –
Occupy protesters across the country are getting ready for a big rally Thursday. It’s being called a "Global day of Action” and the Occupy Eugene group says it will take part. Members of Occupy Eugene held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to announce their plans for Thursday’s march. “This will be a day of civil disobedience, a day of nonviolent interaction to occupy the banks, reclaim the economy, and recreate democracy,” says member Kristen Carpenter.
Thursday’s march of solidarity will start downtown at the Free Speech plaza at noon at 8th and Oak Street. They'll protest in front of Wells Fargo, Umpqua, and U.S Bank. The march will end at Ferry Street Bridge. Carpenter says it's hard to tell what will happen Thursday during the march. She says they are a large, leaderless movement, and people will choose how to express themselves.
“If you consider chanting and holding signs rowdy then hopefully that will occur, but this is not intended to be something that will lose support for Occupy Eugene, it’s something that we hope will gain support in our community,” says Carpenter.
Regan says Occupy Eugene is also fighting for the rights of the large population of homeless community members. She says they want the city to provide a permanent and nicer place for them to sleep legally.
The Eugene/Springfield solidarity network will take part in Thursday’s march. They want to bring to light the hidden charges being issued by U.S. Bank, which has a contract with the state of Oregon for the unemployment "Relia-card."
Occupy Eugene members have until December 15th at their current location. The city council will once again meet to decide whether they can stay at the park. Eugene police have no plans to add extra patrol for Thursday’s event, since it’s supposed to be a peaceful march.
