SUNBURY - While not on the scale of the protests that began in New York City, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement made its way to Northumberland County Saturday.
About 13 citizens stood in the area of Front and Market streets for a three-hour "Occupy Sunbury" rally Saturday.
Event planner Gail Leightley said the idea was to show how strong the nation is, and how the majority are not getting a fair shot.
"The 'Occupy' movement was started to show that the 99 percent of the middle class and lower classes are tired of the 1 percent of rich people deciding who is in power," Leightley said. "We are here being activists, because if we all unite, we can move the mountain."
Leightley said the time is right for such a movement, given the frustration of the poor economy. She said people are reaching "the point of despair," and have decided to rise up together for a stronger voice.
Chad Gardiner, of Middleburg, attend the Sunbury demonstration with his daughter, Eme, who will turn 5 next week. He was there for her.
"I can't sit there with her without trying to go out and make this a better world," he said.
Asked what most upsets him, he said, "All of the corruption that we see with the government working with big business."
Fighting, like in WWII
Sitting amongst the protestors were Coal Township couple John and Eileen Hill, ages 82 and 72, respectively. For Mr. Hill, the rally was another chance to fight for his country, like he did in World War II.
"We are losing all of our opportunities for the young people today," he said. "This is a government by the people, and we elect those in power, but when they get there, they don't listen to us."
As protestors held signs saying "99%, Hear Us, Heed Us," and "Capitalism Does Not Equal Democracy," motorists driving by honked their horns in support.
"We've gotten a lot of honks, so that's good support for what we are doing. There was only one driver that stopped and yelled at us," Leightley said.
Lesson learned
Those attending the rally were also delighted as little Eme gave them cookies that she baked for the rally and decorated herself.
"There is a lesson that the 1 percent can learn from a 5-year-old," Leightley said, "how to share."
