The Occupy Iowa City movement held a march from their location at College Green Park to the Iowa City pedestrian mall on Saturday and a rally to speak out about the banking industry, corporate greed, and the notion of “too big to fail.”
Iowa City, Iowa October 13, 2011 - The growing Occupy Iowa City movement - based in College Green Park and online at http://www.occupyiowacity.org - held a rally in the Iowa City pedestrian mall at 10:00am on Saturday.
The movement was rallying to bring attention to their outrage over the big banks, the banking practices that led to the sub-prime mortgage crisis and ultimately the recession of 2008, as well as the concept that a banking organization can be “too big to fail” and thus be in a position to harm America severely through the greed and corruption of a few. The group arranged for speakers to talk about the international banking structure, home mortgages, local banks and credit unions versus corporate banks, the hoarding of capital and refusal to re-invest funds and student loans.
Occupy Iowa City stood in solidarity with acts of civil disobedience in New York, Boston, Des Moines and elsewhere around the country. They discussed the historical significance of acts of civil disobedience and how those acts have influenced the current Occupy Together movement. A member of the faith community spoke to the public on the necessity for banks to show compassion, and community organizers spoke about fair housing. The event also featured two singers to lead group singing performances. The protest was peaceful and will lasted around 40 - 50 minutes.
About Occupy Iowa City
Occupy Iowa City is a peaceful but determined group of Iowa City residents intent upon seeking change and demanding peace, justice, and prosperity for all. The group is based in Iowa City but involves citizens from many nearby cities and towns. From their Statement of Intent: In solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, we will transform this space and create our community. From there we will use this community and the park as a base from which to challenge economic, social and political injustice.
About Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street is a horizontally organized resistance movement employing the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to restore democracy in America. We use a tool known as a "people's assembly" to facilitate collective decision making in an open, participatory and non-binding manner. We call ours the NYC General Assembly and we welcome people from all colors, genders and beliefs to attend our daily assemblies.
Media and interested parties can contact the Occupy Iowa City media committee at occupyiowacity@gmail.com.