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| Updated: 10/14/2011 10:49 pm |
Published: 10/14/2011 9:36 pm |
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Occupy Little Rock demonstrators plan for their first protest this weekend. Friday night, the group painted signs for tomorrow's march to the Capitol. They say the differences between rich and poor Arkansans is overwhelming.
"We have one of the lower employment rates in the country, but we are also one of the poorest states. So that says Arkansans are willing to work, but we are not working for livable wages," said participant Catherine Hicks.
Joseph Jones is the Director of the Social Justice Initiative at Philander Smith College. He understands why the local occupy group is so passionate.
"You have a small group of people who own a lot and a large group of people who don't have a lot. And in between there, there is a thing called the middle class. The middle class, as we have seen over the past few years, has basically become the lower class. And that's why we are seeing this mass movement," said Jones.
Local resident Natasha Burch says she is not convinced the movement will do any good.
"I'm torn because I want to be involved. I do. I believe in being a rebel with a good cause. But I just don't think it is a good cause," said nonparticipant Natashia Burch.
But activists say they are ready to cut a path to a better way of living.
"I think if people sit by and don't do anything, nothing will change," said Hicks.