DES MOINES, Iowa – An offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street protests has traded in tents for its own campaign office.
A handwritten “Occupy the Caucus” sign hangs from the second-storey windows of an old brick storefront just blocks from the state Capitol. Organisers rented the office – $1,500 for a one-week lease – expecting Occupy demonstrators from across Iowa and nearby states to gather and take advantage of the media presence for the January 3rd caucuses.
“This week, more than ever, we have the national attention focused on the political leadership in this country,” said Ed Fallon (53), a former Democratic state representative, local radio host and organiser for Occupy Des Moines.
Inside the building, there is a stage for open-mic events and news conferences. Upstairs, there is a kids’ centre with toys, as well as areas to host “civil disobedience training” and roundtable discussions. Despite the name, Occupy the Caucus says it will not disrupt the statewide caucuses, focusing instead on candidates’ events.
With the Occupy movement in New England planning similar demonstrations before the January 10th New Hampshire primary, some at Occupy the Caucus are feeling the pressure to shape the tenor for other primaries and the general election. "The caucus sets the tone for the political race," said Nathan Davis (31), who drove from Omaha with some friends to protest. – ( New York Times)