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All age groups and economic groups were represented at Saturday's protest

The movement of the “99 Percent” which began with a small crowd protesting on Wall Street in New York City, has been growing over the past few weeks and on Saturday, the movement found its way to the Ozarks.
On Saturday, approximately 125 people, from all economic backgrounds, gathered at the corner of Glenstone and Battlefield. Holding sings and waving at passing motorists, the crowd  shouted, “We are the 99″.
According to the group’s web site, another protest is scheduled to take place in front of  Sen. Roy Blunt’s office in Springfield from 4 – 6 p.m. Thursday.
That phrase has become the battle cry for the movement spanning the country. Protesters were unified in their pleas for politicians at all levels, to listen to what they claim is the majority and not the top one percent of money makers.
While those in Washington, D.C. have been trying to ignore the growing grassroots movement, one politician has realized the potential it holds for reform.
“I’m increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Cantor has reason for concern. Many of the protestors blame the Republicans as the party f big money, for the current influence of big business in politics.
Saturday’s protest was held in front of one of the nation’s largest banking corporations, an area Bank of America.
As in protests from the 1960s and 70s, officials are using little-enforced laws to attempt a breakup of protestors.
Demonstrators with the group OccupySTL face accusations of curfew violation after they were arrested in a downtown park.  Police arrested the protesters about 12:20 a.m. Thursday at Kiener Plaza, more than two hours after the park’s 10 p.m. curfew. Police spokeswoman Katie O’Sullivan says 10 were arrested, but Colleen Kelly of OccupySTL says the number was 11 because a homeless person who supports the movement was also arrested.  All but one of those arrested remained jailed by late morning Thursday.  Police warned the group earlier this week to clear out of the park before 10 p.m., or face arrests.
According to police, the Springfield protest was peaceful.
The Springfield movement has several posts on its Facebook Page here. They also meet on a regular basis.
“Meetings of our General Assembly are scheduled to take place every Wednesday at Phelps Grove Park, 6:00pm”
In this video from New York City, Wall Street members drink champagne as protestors march – “Let them Eat Cake?”

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