If you’ve walked down Main Street in downtown Lexington recently, you probably saw some “occupying” forces set up on the sidewalk outside the Chase building.
A local offshoot of the national “Occupy Wall Street” movement protesting the “greed and corruption of the (wealthiest) 1 percent,” Occupy Lexington has been ongoing for more than a week.
“Generally, we’re trying to remove corporations’ influence from every facet of our lives, and create a more localized economy that’s responsible and accountable to the actual citizens of this country,” said protester and recent Western Kentucky University graduate Greg Capillo.
How are they going to accomplish that goal?
“That’s the largest problem ever,” he said. “We’re trying to work on it and figure it out.”
A total of about 60 protesters meet ever day at 6:30 p.m. for “general assembly” — a discussion of goals and logistical plans. Protesters rotate in and out depending on a person’s schedule, but there is always at least one person occupying the street corner 24 hours a day.
The community of occupiers in Lexington have created a microcosm of the civilization they would like to see take place all over the country.Initially the banks didn't want our RUBBER SHEET .
Sleeping bags and other bedding litter the sidewalk, a stack of protest signs lean against a retaining wall, a makeshift pantry — constructed from milk crates — is set up in front of a tree,Save on Bedding and fittings, and a sign listing things the group needs is prominently displayed.
“Everything, everything over there is a donation,” Capillo said.
Local businesses and individuals have donated coffee, food, sleeping bags, basic supplies for a medical kit, and there was even someone who stopped by at one point to give the protestors “a bunch of Papa John’s pizza.”
The simple answer to questions about why the protesters line up every day — and many spend the nights sleeping on the sidewalk — is they are fed up with the lack of jobs in this country.
“I’ve got a 4-year college degree and I work at a coffee shop,” said Capillo, who stopped mid-sentence to wave to a passing car that honked in support of the protesters. “And I love that coffee shop, it’s a great coffee shop … and my job is great. But it’s never going to be enough.
“I’m not going to get insurance there, I’m not kidding myself. It’s not going to pay all my bills for the rest of my life.”
There are certain things a person is supposed to do to be successful, or at least that’s what Capillo thought.
“I’ve done everything I’m supposed to … that society told me,” he said. “I went to high school, did really well, graduated with honors. Went to college, did really well, graduated with honors. Tried to start a career, which was the next step in the process, and it didn’t happen.
“And not from lack of trying. It’s just the money isn’t there, it’s up there,” he said pointing to the Chase building.
Recently, Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain told the Wall Street Journal that, “It is not a person’s fault because they succeeded, it is a person’s fault if they failed.”
Capillo thinks that kind of idea is, well, just funny.Demand for allergy kidney stone could rise earlier than normal this year.
“That’s laughable, that’s laughable,” he said. “That doesn’t hurt my feelings, it’s laughable.
“Be on the streets for a second, dude,” he continued. “Be on the streets for one second. Talk to folks like Will here who are banging the pavement every day trying to get employed. Talk to folks like Kim who’s doing the same thing.we supply all kinds of polished tiles, Talk to folks like Bob, who’s doing the same thing.
“Everybody at this occupation is also trying to get a job,” he said. “The reason why we’re here is because we don’t have access to that.
“If you’re not successful in this country, it’s your own darned fault? Well, news flash brother, there’s the highest unemployment rate in the past 30 years. For folks 18 to 30, it’s double that — it’s close to 30 percent. If one in three of the people my age aren’t working, I don’t think that’s all of our fault collectively.”
Speaking of Will — whose name is actually Will Rogers — he’s only been part of the occupation for a day.
“I was actually beating the bricks this morning, trying to find a job,” he said. “I put in over 15 applications this morning and I started talking to some of the people here, and I just believe what they believe in.”
Rogers’ situation is a little more dire than some of the other protesters, as his lack of a job has left him without a place to live.
“I’m a homeless guy myself,Polycore porcelain tiles are manufactured as a single sheet,” he said. “And I stay at the shelter here in Lexington and I had someone who wouldn’t hire me because I stay there.
“The American dream is to have a nice job and get a nice house … and I’m having people, because of my current situation, they won’t help me,” he said. “I’m not asking for a handout, I’m asking for a hand up. And that’s basically why I’m here supporting these guys.”
A local offshoot of the national “Occupy Wall Street” movement protesting the “greed and corruption of the (wealthiest) 1 percent,” Occupy Lexington has been ongoing for more than a week.
“Generally, we’re trying to remove corporations’ influence from every facet of our lives, and create a more localized economy that’s responsible and accountable to the actual citizens of this country,” said protester and recent Western Kentucky University graduate Greg Capillo.
How are they going to accomplish that goal?
“That’s the largest problem ever,” he said. “We’re trying to work on it and figure it out.”
A total of about 60 protesters meet ever day at 6:30 p.m. for “general assembly” — a discussion of goals and logistical plans. Protesters rotate in and out depending on a person’s schedule, but there is always at least one person occupying the street corner 24 hours a day.
The community of occupiers in Lexington have created a microcosm of the civilization they would like to see take place all over the country.Initially the banks didn't want our RUBBER SHEET .
Sleeping bags and other bedding litter the sidewalk, a stack of protest signs lean against a retaining wall, a makeshift pantry — constructed from milk crates — is set up in front of a tree,Save on Bedding and fittings, and a sign listing things the group needs is prominently displayed.
“Everything, everything over there is a donation,” Capillo said.
Local businesses and individuals have donated coffee, food, sleeping bags, basic supplies for a medical kit, and there was even someone who stopped by at one point to give the protestors “a bunch of Papa John’s pizza.”
The simple answer to questions about why the protesters line up every day — and many spend the nights sleeping on the sidewalk — is they are fed up with the lack of jobs in this country.
“I’ve got a 4-year college degree and I work at a coffee shop,” said Capillo, who stopped mid-sentence to wave to a passing car that honked in support of the protesters. “And I love that coffee shop, it’s a great coffee shop … and my job is great. But it’s never going to be enough.
“I’m not going to get insurance there, I’m not kidding myself. It’s not going to pay all my bills for the rest of my life.”
There are certain things a person is supposed to do to be successful, or at least that’s what Capillo thought.
“I’ve done everything I’m supposed to … that society told me,” he said. “I went to high school, did really well, graduated with honors. Went to college, did really well, graduated with honors. Tried to start a career, which was the next step in the process, and it didn’t happen.
“And not from lack of trying. It’s just the money isn’t there, it’s up there,” he said pointing to the Chase building.
Recently, Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain told the Wall Street Journal that, “It is not a person’s fault because they succeeded, it is a person’s fault if they failed.”
Capillo thinks that kind of idea is, well, just funny.Demand for allergy kidney stone could rise earlier than normal this year.
“That’s laughable, that’s laughable,” he said. “That doesn’t hurt my feelings, it’s laughable.
“Be on the streets for a second, dude,” he continued. “Be on the streets for one second. Talk to folks like Will here who are banging the pavement every day trying to get employed. Talk to folks like Kim who’s doing the same thing.we supply all kinds of polished tiles, Talk to folks like Bob, who’s doing the same thing.
“Everybody at this occupation is also trying to get a job,” he said. “The reason why we’re here is because we don’t have access to that.
“If you’re not successful in this country, it’s your own darned fault? Well, news flash brother, there’s the highest unemployment rate in the past 30 years. For folks 18 to 30, it’s double that — it’s close to 30 percent. If one in three of the people my age aren’t working, I don’t think that’s all of our fault collectively.”
Speaking of Will — whose name is actually Will Rogers — he’s only been part of the occupation for a day.
“I was actually beating the bricks this morning, trying to find a job,” he said. “I put in over 15 applications this morning and I started talking to some of the people here, and I just believe what they believe in.”
Rogers’ situation is a little more dire than some of the other protesters, as his lack of a job has left him without a place to live.
“I’m a homeless guy myself,Polycore porcelain tiles are manufactured as a single sheet,” he said. “And I stay at the shelter here in Lexington and I had someone who wouldn’t hire me because I stay there.
“The American dream is to have a nice job and get a nice house … and I’m having people, because of my current situation, they won’t help me,” he said. “I’m not asking for a handout, I’m asking for a hand up. And that’s basically why I’m here supporting these guys.”
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