Local

‘Occupy' protest enters day 4

ATLANTA,None — The sit-ins and rallies that started on Wall Street are growing across the globe and in Atlanta.

Channel 2’s Darryn Moore went to downtown’s Woodruff Park, where protesters entered their fourth day of demonstration Monday. Signs across the park carried messages against big banks, the government and unemployment.

“I’m out here because I think the system is broken,” Priscilla Smith said.

Those sentiments have been echoed by many in the “Occupy” movement. The Occupy Wall Street movement began in New York several weeks ago and has spread to more than 250 cities.

On Friday, protesters gathered in Woodruff Park. Two days later, Channel 2’s Tony Thomas counted about 35 tents pitched across the park and about 50 people assembling. The group said city leaders promised them they will be allowed to stay if they behave.

"There are people that are starving unnecessarily. There is plenty of material goods around so that minimal needs can be met for everybody, and that's only fair," Smith told Thomas.

And she's not alone. The Occupy Atlanta cause is varied, but tends to center around the war in Afghanistan and financial reform.

For Griffin resident Gustavo M., it's the economy.

"I see way too many people, especially my family members, being laid off. The middle class is virtually getting erased off the map. I have a big problem with that," he said.

The group also held a candlelight vigil for Troy Davis on Sunday night. Davis was recently executed for a murder conviction, but many argued there was enough evidence to take another look at the case.

"I’m out here just to support the cause, because I believe in no death penalty," said Almetrius Brown.

Protesters said they plan to be there for weeks or longer. Thomas contacted Atlanta police to ask what plans there might be for the coming days if the Occupy Atlanta rally continues. Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones said the department will “cross that bridge when we get to it.”

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