PAGE 6A
MONDAY OCTOBER 17,2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LOCAL
Occupy Lawrence sets up permanent camp
I LUKE RANKER
Iranker@kansan.com
Occupy Lawrence entered a new phase this weekend, with demonstrators setting up a permanent camp in South Park after two weeks of rallies.
T. J. Campsey and Sean Maupin, Lawrence residents and Occupy Lawrence members, said the group, which advocates for local government change, isn't sure how long it will be allowed to camp in the park, but so far city officials have been willing to work with the activists.
"We're going to play it by ear and see where it goes," Campsey said.
He said the city had opened public restrooms in the park for their use, but the major challenge
for the demonstrators would be the weather. As the weather gets colder, Campsey said the group would need blankets, sleeping bags, coats, gloves and other supplies to function. Maupin said that the Lawrence Social Service League was prepared to donate various items the group might need.
"We need to get Internet access so we can connect to our brethren all around the world," Maupin said.
The Occupy Lawrence movement has expressed solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street
movement, but locally they are focusing on changing certain city ordinances.
"The downtown camping ordinance is an attack on the homeless population — our most vulnerable population," Campsey said. "The right to occupy public space is a fundamental right."
According to the city code, it is unlawful for individuals to occupy public parks between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, the director of Parks and Recreation can grant exemptions.
Maupin, who said he had lived in various parts of the country, was more worried about larger cities with high unemployment. Maupin was focusing on the global issue of reforming the financial systems.
"We like to see more account
ability in the government and in corporations," Maupin said.
Claire Kerwin, a senior from St. Louis, said the movement wasn't as much a protest as a call to awareness. She said one of her favorite things about it was the diversity of ideas in the group.
"Everyone comes at it from
different points of view." Kerwin said. "It unites a lot of different issues."
Kerwin said she is involved in immigrant rights. She said that issue has a direct correlation
to people who oppose corporate lobbying.
"Ultimately, I support occupying and letting people know we're pissed off". Kerwin said.
She said she would like to see change in the government, but because of the number of issues the movement covered, she could not pin down a specific solution.
Kerwin said the challenge for her would be finding a balance
CLAIRE KERWIN Occupy Lawrence member
"I'm busy
every day. I
don't think I
have a night
off." Kerwin
said. "It feels good but it's also overwhelming."
Kerwin said she was initially
hesitant about the movement but became involved after attending an Occupy Kansas City rally that had more than 600 attendees. She said she then attended an assembly in Lawrence where there were 150 to 200 local residents, but only a few KU students. She said an Occupy KU group had formed and her hope was that it would work with the Occupy Lawrence group.
The future of the movement is still unknown, but Campsey is optimistic.
"I'm hoping it's going to be huge," Campsey said. "We see more and more people at the general assemblies every time."
- Edited by Mandy Matney
ALL PHOTOS
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Blaise Marcoux holds up signs outside of U.S. Bank on Saturday afternoon.
Protesters gather Saturday afternoon at South Park.
John Mingolio kisses his 8-year-old daughter, Nina, at the meeting at South Park on Saturday.
Signs of the protesters rest on the lawn of South Park Saturday afternoon.
Thank you
to all Homecoming participants and congratulations to the following student leaders and student organizations!
Erin Atwood Hunter Hess* Amber Jackson Emily Lamb** Greg Loving Andy Kriegh
Ex.C.E.L. Finalists
*Male Winner
**Female Winner
Megan Ritter Kelly Tankard Ben Wilinsky Joshua Williams
Overall 2011 Homecoming Winners:
Overall 2014 Horsemining Winner:
Greek Life: Kappa Sigma and Alpha Chi Omega
Student Life: School of Engineering
For a complete listing of award winners from all Homecoming Week events, go to www.homecoming.ku.edu
We are excited to announce Homecoming 2012, October 27 the university's 100th Homecoming!
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The University of Kansas
The University of Kansas
Compost Sale October 20, 21 and 22
Bring shovels and buckets to load your own, or we will load your pickup truck or small trailer for you.
$10 per truckload (more for larger trucks). Cash only.
Free for self-loaders.
Times:
8:00 am - 3:00 pm Thursday & Fri
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday
(may close early if supply is depleted)
832-3030 www.LawrenceRecycles.org
www.facebook.com/LawrenceRecycles
CA
K-STATE STUDENTS JOIN PROTESTS
Though student involvement in Occupy Lawrence demonstrations has been small, a student-organized demonstration in Manhattan drew approximately 150 people Saturday evening.
Demonstrators gathered in the Aggieville district of the city, in the first event connected with the Occupy movement to take place in Manhattan. Signs such as "Bail Hay Not Out" garnered four to five honeks per minute from passing cars.
"The word spread like fire," Dorsey said. "Thank God for social networking."
College-aged individuals appeared to constitute a plurality, if not a majority, of those present. Demonstrator Simone Dorsey, a senior at Kansas State, said students organized the event earlier in the week.
"Go and do it," he said.
Jonathan Shorman