PORT ANGELES — An Occupy Wall Street demonstration, such as those that have sparked a movement against growing economic inequality nationwide, drew about 200 people to Port Angeles on Saturday.
Protesters gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on Lincoln Street to call for an end to corporate influence on government and speak out against the excesses of big business.
“It’s about time we say enough is enough,” said David Douglas of Ellensburg, who was visiting Port Angeles and decided to join the protest, which was held a day after a similar rally in Port Townsend that drew more than 200 people.
To honks of support from passing motorists, the protesters marched to symbols of Wall Street, including Chase Bank branch downtown and to Bank of America on Eighth Street.
Anami Cloud, one of the protest organizers in Port Angeles, said that between 10 and 20 people planned to stay overnight at the park in solidarity with protestors in New York City, who have camped on Wall Street for the past month.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said police would issue citations to anyone who camps and refuses to leave.
“We don’t offer an all-night campground at a park,” he said.
Cloud said they plan to leave if asked.
“We’re not trying to cause any strife,” she said.
The protest attracted many first-time demonstrators who said they are frustrated by ongoing economic problems they believe were caused by the large banks that have been insulated from their effects.
One of them was Sutton Beckett, a former owner of Beckett’s Bikes, which closed in 2010.
“I am here to save our middle class, which is deteriorating rapidly,” he said.
“We all feel it.”
Some also carried signs against war and calling for reduced military spending.
“The people for war are the people raking in piles and piles of cash,” said Milton Patrie of Veterans for Peace.
Cloud said the demonstrators, though many from different backgrounds, share a similar view that large corporations have too much power.
“This is about people who want to control their own government,” she said.
Cloud said she is frustrated that many large businesses pay fewer taxes than her own business, the Caffeinated Clothier.
“The people this recession has not been hard for is the people who have a lot of money already,” she told the crowd.
“We need to show our government that this is a democracy and they need to listen to the people and not the lobbyists.”
Protestors took turns speaking from a microphone and expressing their discontent with the struggling economy.
Brian Grad, 60, of Sequim told the crowd that the nation is at risk of losing the American dream and played a song on guitar about the gap between rich and poor called “I’m Busted.”
“Where’s it going?” he asked.
“Is this just going to be something our grandkids be telling their grandkids about?”
A couple of union representatives also made an appearance.
Lee Whetham, Olympic Peninsula Building Trades Organization president, said he was there to protest what he believes is a war on the working class.
“It’s about time we fight back,” he said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.