Hundreds of occupy protesters have set up a make shift tent village in the open plaza area behind the downtown San Diego County Administration Building. Protesting corporate greed and social injustice, participants told that they plan to say “indefinitely.” Occupy San Diego is part of a movement that started on Wall Street Sept. 15, where over 700 people gathered together to protest government corruption and US economic problems. Since that day, the Occupy movement, organized on Twitter and Facebook, has spread to over 50 US cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.

    Giant US labor unions are now joining forces with Occupy demonstrators. In New York, the United Federation of Teachers and the Communication Workers of America and the 38,000 member Transit Worker Union, have teamed up with the San Diego Labor Council and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO to back up the nationwide Occupy protests.

    Occupy US was partly inspired by other demonstrations around the world, such as the JAN. 25 Tahrir Square in Cairo Egypt, where thousands took to the streets to protest government injustices. The demonstration gave new thought to the power of internet communications such as Facebook and Twitter, which made it possible for thousands of people to organize online. On May 15, another “Occupy” event hit the streets of Madrid, Spain. Tagged on Twitter as the “Spanish Revolution” the movement quickly grew to include 25,000 people. In Greece, demonstrations inspired by the Madrid event, began with 30,000 participants, and eventually attracted over 200,000 participants.

    On Sept 17, 2011, the giant online-organized Occupy protest hit US soil, beginning with the Liberty Square New York Wall Street Protest, with over 700 protesters demonstrating on the Brooklyn Bridge. On Oct. 7, Occupy demonstrators hit the streets of San Diego. Over 1,500 people participated in a march that has now settled into the downtown San Diego’s Civic Centers new tent city home. The number of people occupying the civic center plaza has become much smaller, but is attracting hundreds of people who are passing though to look in on the event, or give support.

    The event, according to San Diego police, has gone smoothly and without any major incidents or arrests. A man fell to his death from a nearby parking garage on the first weekend, it was not clear whether the death was an accident or suicide, but the event was not related to the protest. In New York, police have arrested hundreds of demonstrators; pepper sprayed bystanders, and ridden horses into the crowds. A minor outburst occurred at the SD Occupy when someone tried to bring in a wooden bookcase. Police blocked the man, saying that the fire marshals forbid any more “furniture.” Protesters surrounded police and began to chant “We need more books! We need books.” The situation was peacefully resolved when an exchange was made for a table.

    Inside the Occupy area, big office buildings, including the County Administration Building, loomed over the tents and tables. A 24 hour food station was set up, all food donated by “generous people.” according to servers. Organizers established a mini-infrastructure for the community, which included a children’s area, a lost and found, a media center, a little library, a comfort center, where anyone could get free supplies or necessities, like an electric cord, candles, shampoo, and other items.

    A medical table offered on the spot treatment for minor cuts and scrapes, and was able to connect with ambulance or emergencies services if needed. Members of the National Lawyers guild, wearing lime green baseball caps, were present. Leaflets were available advising participants on how to handle themselves should they have an encounter with the police

    People of all walks of life and ages strolled among the tents and displays. Representatives from different groups were present, such as the Zietgiest Group, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Cannibus Education Project. Seniors reminisced about the Woodstock Festival and the demonstrations of the late 60s and early 70s. Chet “Bear” BarField, 57, wore a “Veterans for Peace” t-shirt. Chet told La Prensa,” I have lived here in San Diego and never saw anything like this.” He added that he was “proud of what was going on” and that “these young people have the courage to stand up!” 72 year old San Diegan Jim said “it is important for people to have a way to express them.” He observed that the event was “neat and orderly!”

    Media team member Anthony told La Prensa: “This is a completely functioning micro-society. What began as a community of strangers is quickly becoming a family.” He added that “we will stay here as long as it takes to achieve economic and social justice.”