Occupy Wall Street Comes to Martha's Vineyard

As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues to grow in different towns and cities across the country and even across the globe, a group of Islanders have begun to come together as well.

Calling themselves Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard, they have had two events already. On Sunday, October 30^th, some 35 people gathered simultaneously in Owen Park, Five Corners and Menemsha Beach and last Saturday, November 5^th at the West Tisbury Town Hall the event included 42 people and six dogs.

While there are many involved with the movement, we caught up with BZ Riger who has been working hard on organizing and getting an online presence established. According to Riger, “Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard is going to stage an action on Friday, 11-11-11 from 7 am – 9 am at the ‘Blinker’ to call attention to the Occupy movement."

The purpose of the event, said Riger, "will be a demonstration of solidarity and support.” Those interested are asked, “to bring a sign, bring your energy and bring your voice for ‘Mic Checks.” Riger said she will be video taping the event and putting it on MVTV as well as on-line.

If you’re interested in getting involved, but not able to come out on Friday, Occupy Together Martha’s Vineyard has a number of plans in the works. “We are in the process of organizing a day-long mini Zuccotti Park Occupy Wall Street with learn-ins, general assembly, music and speakers in a couple of weeks,” said Riger.

The group is also planning weekly "general assembly" type meetings. “To create new Actions and events to take place on the ground.” There is a new Occupy Martha's Vineyard website and they also have an Occupy Martha’s Vineyard Facebook page where they will be putting links up for most of their activities.

According to Riger, the group welcomes more members. “Everyone is welcome who is in the occupy together spirit, we are all leaders and create this together. There is no top down structure, no censoring. Vibrancy and energy in unity to usher in a world that works for everyone is what we want to create.”