Occupy Southwest Michigan will hold another rally, this time in honor of Veterans Day.
Friday’s “American Dream Movement” protest is part of a nationwide campaign to shift conversation away from deficit reduction and toward the jobs crisis, according to Occupy Southwest Michigan organizer Matthew Rosenhagen.
“Our veterans need jobs, not more cuts,” said Rosenhagen, a disabled veteran. “Washington couldn’t be more out of touch. Why should veterans have our health care costs rise, no jobs to come home to, and homelessness during the holidays? Why should we have our Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cut just so corporations can get a free pass on paying their taxes?”
The Occupy Niles protest will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at 1100 E. Main St. in Niles (the corner of South 11th and Main streets, across from Rite Aid), the same time as American Legion Post 26’s Veterans Day service. The Legion service will take place at the veterans’ monument in Riverfront Park.
The Occupy Southwest Michigan group, branching from the Occupy Wall Street movement, has held several rallies, including two in Niles. Its first rally drew 100 protestors and earned national attention when documentary filmmaker Michael Moore mentioned the Niles rally on “Democracy Now!”
The Occupy Wall Street movement revolves around the slogan, “we are the 99 percent,” referencing the supporters’ belief that the wealthiest 1 percent of the country thrives while the working class is struggling.