Occupy Wall Street protests spread to Houston

The 99-percenter movement reached Houston this Thursday in the form of Occupy Houston — a grassroots movement which is “dedicated to ending the corporate corruption of democracy,” according to occupyhouston.org.

The protest began with a meet and greet in Market Square Park and continued with a march to JPMorgan Chase Tower before reaching its final destination at City Hall. All protestors were then given a chance to address the crowd, which repeated the message in order to amplify the volume without a permit.

Estimates of Thursday’s attendance ranged from 200 to 400 protestors, with many carrying signs displaying slogans ranging from “Reinstate Glass Steagall” and “Burn Your Credit Cards” to “I will believe corporations are people when Texas executes one” and “Bail Out Students, Not Banksters.”

UH was represented by members of many student groups including the International Socialist Organization, People Against Corporate Tax Evasion, Fair Labor Action Committee and Students for a Democratic Society. Other activist groups present included Houston Freethinkers, Houston Peace News and Infowars.com.

The protest was also heavily attended by the local media, including Fox, NBC, CultureMap, Houston Chronicle, WB and a helicopter from ABC 13.

When asked what the message of the occupation movement was, a spokesperson said it was “catalyzed around our frustration with corporate excess” as well as bailouts and lack of accountability among corporate CEOs, who she said “have swindled billions of Americans’ dollars and ruined their lives.”

She also encouraged all UH students who want to participate to join the discussion at occupyhouston.org.

Friday’s continued occupation brought local politicians Phillip Andrews and KP George, who were running on a grassroots platform that refuses special interest contributions.

Andrews, who is running for US Representative for House District 7, said “the day you start taking money from special interests, you stop serving the people.”

There have been no problems between the protestors and the police as of Friday according to one of the 10 Houston police officers monitoring Friday’s occupation. One officer went so far as to raise his arms in solidarity, which was loudly cheered by the protestors, as they marched to the JPMorgan Chase Tower.

Despite the recent bouts of rain, Occupy Houston is still active and holding general assemblies in which anyone is free to be heard.

Though numbers are down from the initial protest on Thursday, there are no plans to end the protest until demands are met.