JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Protesters held their second march at Hemming Plaza in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday in response to the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City.
As a leaderless organization, Occupy Jacksonville says it seeks to establish a permanent presence in the First Coast area and work conjugation with Occupy Wall Street.
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Last week, an estimated 250 people turned out for the protest at Hemming Plaza, holding hand-made signs with messages like "we are the 99%" and "end plutocracy."
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Protests against Wall Street continue as demonstrators across the country show their anger over the wobbly economy and what they see as corporate greed.
Among those joining the demonstrations were the liberal group MoveOn.org and various community organizations. Camille Rivera, the executive director of United NY, says the protesters are "capturing a feel of disempowerment, feeling like nobody is listening to them."
Organizers want to stress that "nonviolence is paramount" to the protest's success.
Channel 4's Jim Piggott said there were several hundred Occupy Jacksonville members downtown Saturday afternoon, holding up signs and yelling demands over megaphones.
There were also others speaking out against the protesters, including some who said they did not have a permit to be in Hemming Park.
"I believe that everybody has a right to voice their opinion whatever it may be," said Jacksonville city council member Don Redman. "The biggest problem I have with the event is they did not get a permit."
Later in the evening, a small group of protesters stood outside the Omni Hotel downtown, where Florida Governor Rick Scott was scheduled to attend an event.