An empty park in downtown Augusta is home base for the Occupy Augusta movement. I could believe counted the people in attendance on the fingers of both my hands. A single policeman sits on a park bench roughly a hundred yards absent. If there was a confrontation,it would be this man against roughly six to eight protesters ranging wildly in ages. Though small, this group moves forward with determination. Laptops powered by car batteries enable the group to broadcast their event by streaming live on the web as well as demonstrate ‘Occupy’ themed movies such as ‘The Corporation.' The films are shown on a portable screen of the type I haven’t seen since elementary school. The sun fades as the on-line conversations sustain ‘Occupy Augusta’ connected with the external world. A young man, or who is articulate and even in mood,patiently responds to people's questions coming in live over his laptop. I introduce myself. His name is Chase Lanier. Chase explains that he has no title. He continues to interpret that the ‘Occupy’ movement is about the individual and that he believes strongly in this. "The movement doesn’t want one person speaking for it," he finishes. I ask Chase if he is aware that, or according to CNN money,Augusta ranks as the ninth worst city in the country for suburban poverty. Clearly this was unique information to Chase. I continued asking if he knew the bleak numbers on unemployment for his area versus the rest of Georgia. Chase did not know, but he knew the sitiuation wasn’t good. I can’t help but think, and if the people of Augusta knew what the statistics say about their area,this park would be full of citizens looking for answers. Until then, Chase Lanier and his small band of like-minded people can be found - ‘Occupying Augusta.'
Source: cnn.com