On October 29, 2011 Occupy Baton Rouge held our second General Assembly at the Centroplex Fountains. Two General Assemblies were planned and four working groups were
created.
On Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:00 pm we will hold our third General Assembly in the park in front of the State Capitol.
On Saturday, November 5th at 2:00 pm we will hold our fourth General Assembly in the park in front of the State Capitol. Some Occupiers will meet on the Capitol steps at 11:30 am to march to 451 Florida Boulevard in support of a demonstration against the Chase bank at that location. After the demonstration they will march back to the Capitol for the General Assembly.
The Facilitators Working Group was created to streamline the General Assembly process and facilitate future assemblies.
The Website Working Group was created to design and implement a website at OccupyBR.com.
The Encampment Logistics Working Group was created to plan for a 24/7 occupation in Baton Rouge.
The Women’s Issues Working Group was created to address women’s issues surrounding the Occupy movement.
After the General Assembly was adjourned, we marched through the streets of downtown Baton Rouge to the steps of the Capitol building. On our way we passed lines of people waiting for the Halloween parade; it was almost as if they were waiting for the parade of the 99%.
As we approached the Louisiana Book Festival, our procession was halted by a pair of Police Officers. The officers asked where we were going and recommended that we do not gather on the Capitol steps. We explained that we were exercising our first amendment rights and that we would stay on public property. The officers admitted that they couldn’t stop us and let us continue on our way. We continued the march to the Capitol steps in silence, attracting many curious eyes from the festival participants that we passed.
Once at the Capitol building, we gathered near the steps on the public sidewalks where we opened the floor to soap boxing. People of all ages, all occupations, all political, religious, and economic backgrounds were given a chance to speak and every voice was heard.
We are the 99%.
We will make a positive difference.
