What's next for the Occupy movement in Oregon?

The location just changed for the Occupy Oregon General Assembly Rally for Jan 21 in Salem.

Photo from the kick-off of 'Occupy Salem' by Dexter Phoenix Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - People from around the state will converge in Salem (Saturday, Jan. 21) to protest the second anniversary of Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission. “Are corporations people?” asked Sean Gillespie, an event planner from Salem. “That 2010 Supreme Court decision grants further personal rights to corporations and equates money to free speech. Neither is healthy for our democracy,” he said.

The event was originally planned for the capitol steps, but a change in venue was forced by the wet weather and flood conditions in Salem.

Organizer Dean Edwards, said, "The new site is First Congregational Church, 700 Marion St NE, Salem 97301, five blocks from the Capitol. Parking is free on streets all around on Saturdays. The schedule and agenda remain the same but the band has canceled, so we’ll have to entertain ourselves. We’ll rally at noon, with speakers and a speak-out, march downtown at 1, and hold the first Occupy Oregon General Assembly right after the march. The space is reserved from 11 to 5."

Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Libertarians struggle with the consequences of this trend towards unlimited cash flowing into political coffers. Those individuals, (the “99 Percent”) are represented by local and statewide organizations, that will take part wrestling the American Dream back from the “1 percent” who now control politics and the government.

Another event organizer, Kirk Leonard, continued, "Oregon's Occupy actions will converge at the Capitol, Jan. 21, to protest this situation and call for amending the Constitution to correct it." Groups from all over Oregon will be there.

The rally begins at 11:45 a.m. with music from Eugene’s SolSeed, followed by speakers, including Erin Madden, a public interest environmental attorney from Portland.

A downtown march will follow, at 1 p.m., and a state-wide general assembly for Oregon's Occupy movements will begin after 3 p.m. Due to rain in the forecast, the state meeting will be at the First Congregational Church, 700 Marion St NE inSalem. "

The state meeting will continue the process of establishing integrated communications among the various Occupy efforts in Oregon, a step towards a unified Occupy Oregon General Assembly,” Leonard said.

"The so-called Supply Side Economics have failed us,” Gillespie added. “As a career retail sales person, I’ve seen immense suffering in the past few years. Not only has my income suffered, I’ve witnessed countless customers of mine doing without essentials simply because they were losing their jobs and their homes.”

"We are through being fooled!" he added. “The Occupy movement has jumpstarted the next level of engagement…in Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Oregon and many other states. The people will eventually prevail, and the rally on Jan 21 is the next step.”

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