Occupy movement arrives at Saddleback
Abby Freeman, 21, international relations makes a sign in support of the Occupy movement. (Alyssa Hunter/ Lariat)
Demonstrations for the Occupy Wall Street movement have swept the nation the past two months, and it arrived at Saddleback College last week.
The sit-in drew various participants and supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement last Tuesday and Wednesday.
Instructor Carmenmara Hernandez-Bravo and several students set up a sit-in, which took place in the student quad, to demonstrate their support and raise awareness of the Occupy movement.
Hernandez-Bravo also geared the purpose of the sit-in to protest the lack of social justice occurring among the “99 percent,” which is the term used by followers of the movement when describing themselves.
It is a reference to the difference in wealth between the top “1 percent” and all the remaining citizens of the United States.
Hernandez-Bravo said that Orange County youth needs to be upset with the social injustice being protested by the Occupy movements. The “99 percent” is very relevant to college students, according to the instructor.
“I wanted the students to do something because tuition keeps getting raised higher, and higher, and you guys are not doing anything about it,” Hernandez-Bravo said. “I want you guys to do something, and that is why I am supporting this. It’s not for me, it’s for [the students].”
A student participant at the sit-in on Tuesday was Ethan Baker, 20, music. He voiced his concerns about the effects the “1 percent” has had on the country and why he decided to contribute to the sit-in.
“My family is part of the middle class. The middle class is shrinking because of what’s happened to the economy and what these people have done,” Baker said.
Baker believes that more effort should be put in to benefit the cause. He is disappointed in the lack of attention towards the movement in Orange County.
“We live in this bubble in Orange County, and it seems like no one cares about what’s going on. I hope that this wakes people up to what’s happening,” Baker said.