The scene was much more lively at Centennial Square’s Occupy Victoria at noon on Saturday with about 300 people gathering, compared to the 100 or so who turned out at the legislature earlier in the morning.
Donald Duffin, 81, drove from Chemainus Saturday morning to attend and was disappointed at the initial turnout.
“There should be thousands of people here,” the retired federal government employee said. “This is the way to achieve meaningful social change without violence.”
Two Occupies – as they are called – are being held Saturday in Victoria. The first is at the B.C. legislature from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second starts at noon at Centennial Square. That protest is called the People’s Assembly of Victoria (Occupy Victoria). That protest could last hours, a day, weeks or months.
The Occupy Wall Street people’s assembly that sparked the Occupy movement throughout the world today started Sept. 17 in a Manhattan park, when 1,500 people gathered to occupy New York City’s financial district.
The protests have been criticized by some for being “unfocused” in their messages, but the common theme seems to be people feeling powerless and ignored by economic systems, laws and social structures that are seen as serving an elite minority of people.
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The Wall Street protest spread throughout the world Saturday, with people gathering in hundreds of locations in more than 70 countries.
The Centennial Square gathering is expected to draw more people out.
Protesters at the legislature ranged in age from infants out with their parents to senior citizens. Several special constables were at the site, and would not allow people to wear face masks.
The officers said people with masks on had to either take it off, leave or be arrested for trespassing “because of the riots in Vancouver.” That is the only reason they would give for asking one man in a silver and black mask to take it off or leave.
“I don’t see the legal reason for it. That doesn’t make sense to me,” the man said. He chose to leave rather than take the Mexican wrestler mask off.
“I choose to leave. I’d like to remain anonymous.” He wouldn’t provide his name.
“It disrupts their facial recognition software,” said Mike Dick of Victoria, referring to a detection system used by police in Vancouver after the June 15 riot after the Canuck hockey game.
He was there with friend Hugh Hinskens, also of Victoria.
“Only the bankers can do what they want and they don’t even have to wear face masks because they have the law on their side,” Hinskens said.
The men said people have to fight the corporate system for their families and children.
“Democracy is being stolen right out from under our noses. Non-violent protest is necessary,” Dick said.
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