Civil disobedience to make a point or petulant children wanting a personal bailout? The News & Observer put the number of protesters in Raleigh at 3000. WRAL put the number at 100 (see below). I would estimate the number at 500 at its peak but reporting on the occupiers by the media seems to be meeting the same standards as reporting on the TEA Party.
No one was ever arrested at any TEA Party rallies in Raleigh. As stated at the rally, the organizers had set up a support network when they were arrested. This was planned as part of the event and America will see the consequences of this movement unfold in the upcoming days.
David DeGerolamo
Arrests made at ‘Occupy’ rally in Raleigh
Police arrested about 20 supporters of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement who would not leave the State Capitol on Saturday evening. About 50 people remained at the Raleigh rally around 7:30 p.m. – more than four hours after their permits expired.
For several hours, State Capitol and Raleigh police warned them that they would have to leave or face arrest. Officers began arresting people just after 7:30 p.m. Organizers said if they are forced to leave they will convene again on Sunday at noon and 6:30 p.m.
Earlier Saturday, 100 peopled gathered downtown for the rally. The group’s goals are a work in progress, but they appear to match themes familiar with the movement elsewhere: Corporations have too much power and economic inequality needs to be repaired to help the “99 percent” — everyone but the 1 percent richest Americans.
