The Occupy Wall Street rallies that have spurred similar protests a
cross the nation have made it to the Cornell campus.
The Cornell Democrats organized their own event on Ho Plaza this afternoon, titled the “Occupy Cornell Rally.” The protest featured nearly two dozen speakers, utilizing the “People’s Mic” – the no microphone method where the crowd blindly repeats the speaker’s words in unison. Amidst occasional rain showers and the chimes of the clock tower, speakers preached about their angers toward corporations, Republicans, Democrats, Cornell administration, and just about all others who make decisions in society.
“We are not here as politicians or policy makers. We are here as citizens, as citizens in a democracy are supposed to do,” said speaker Jen Dean. Ithaca mayoral candidate Svante Myrick, the event’s keynote speaker, echoed the need for citizens to be engaged in their society.
Others were more radical in their interpretations of the rally’s objectives.
“Stop the Ivy League to Wall Street pipeline!” yelled Josh, a worker at Cornell. Another speaker spurred thoughts of the Student Assembly when he called for a new “general assembly” on campus to hear the needs of the students.
The protest brought in roughly fourty loyal participants who chanted back at the speaker in unison, with others coming and going over the two hour period. The large majority of Cornell students passing through Ho Plaza gave a glance in the mob’s direction and continued about their day.
“Yeah 1 %! Woo!” yelled one student, breaking the rhythm of the people’s mic for a period of time.
Live notes from the event were kept via a Google Doc, compiled by a nearby supporter on her Apple Mac laptop.
