The Occupy Albany Movement was still going strong in Academy Park over the weekend. The group sent out an email Saturday urging everyone in the Capital Region to join in.More than 80 people spent the night in the park Friday night despite its 11 p.m. closing time. They say even more protesters are planning to sleep there Saturday.
“We are the revolution,” chanted the group as they turned the corner onto Pearl Street in Albany Saturday afternoon.
“The message is that we are revolutionaries and we aren't stopping here,” said Richard Soloyna of Voorheesville.
“We're digging in, we're staying, we’ve got food, we’re going to have a medical clinic and a sanitation committee,” said Kathy Manley with the Legal Team.
They say they’re a diverse group of protesters with many different reasons for being there.
“We have a right to exercise democracy and that's not once a year putting the ballot into the voting booth,” said Albany resident and protester Michael Fiske.
“Our message is being heard, that's why we must continue, we need total revolution,” said Christopher Scully of Troy.
On the streets of Albany, some local residents are hearing the protesters loud and clear.
“I think their message is to hold corporations responsible for their actions,” said Olivia Fagan. “It’s a movement that obviously isn't going away, as some people thought in the past.”
But others, like Sarah Van Buren of Colonie, feel the message is lost. “There are people standing on Wall Street, there are people standing somewhere in Albany, but that is about it,” Van Buren said. “I have no idea what the message is.”
Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings says he's working with the state to make sure everyone can exercise their rights, without violating any laws. He and his staff are considering dedicating a certain area of the city so that protesters can stay as long as they'd like.
As of now, police haven't beefed up security, and the mayor is hopeful the protests will remain peaceful.
“I have left it up to the chief and the command staff to make sure what we do is appropriate, and if there are any violations, to make sure we deal with them,” Mayor Jennings said Saturday.
Albany police say no one was arrested Friday night because the protest was peaceful and there were no violations.
Protesters say they hope it stays that way throughout their time in the park.
