In October 2011, a group that identified itself as Occupy Wall Street dominated headlines when its members took to the streets, protesting the national economic crisis. This event brought activists from across the country together in the hopes of pursuing social and economic justice for those who they felt were being oppressed. 

While many Americans knew about the occupation of Wall Street, many are unaware that the Occupy Movement is still in operation, with local branches meeting weekly. One of these branches is right on N.C. State’s campus. 

Occupy Raleigh meets on Tuesday and Sunday nights in the common area of the Royal Mall, located at 3801 Hillsborough St. This committee consists of locals dedicated to the same ideals and goals of the nationwide Occupy Movement. 

The topics of Occupy Raleigh’s meetings range from Decriminalize Poverty! to Veterans for Peace, and anywhere from 2 to 10 people attend the weekly meetings. With no real leaders within this local branch, these meetings are very casual and serve as a time for members to discuss issues they feel are relevant to the cause of the organization. 

“I saw too many people hurting, and I saw nothing getting done to prevent another collapse from happening again,” said Mike Harmon, who has been a participant of the Occupy community since its conception. “This organization seemed like it had the right ideas: separation of the banks from the government, and complete absence of a corporate government.” 

Harmon said one topic the organization discusses is the cutting of corporate and personal income taxes, which the group’s members say will hurt a lot of people. 

“We know things are going to collapse again, and we’re going to continue to be more active in light of the new state government. Raising the sales tax will also be detrimental,” Harmon said.

The various local Occupy branches communicate with each other through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. With the nature of the Internet today, Harmon said he is able to talk with members of Occupy from across the nation on a daily basis. 

“I think probably the best example is when Hurricane Sandy hit. A group called Occupy Sandy was out in canoes rescuing people, delivering food, going into areas Red Cross and National Guard said were too dangerous,” Harmon said. “They actually directed National Guard efforts because they knew the terrain that well.” 

There are a number of splinter groups that help to advance the mission of Occupy across the nation and even the globe. Members unable to attend regular meetings are nonetheless able to participate in various events and campaigns in order to raise awareness for the organization, and the people who the movement serves. 

“Occupy Raleigh has numerous working groups and offshoot projects which are reshaping the larger approach to activism in our corner of the Triangle,” according to N.C. State Student Power Union and Occupy Raleigh member, and graduate student in sociology and anthropology, Ryan Thomson.

The ongoing Decriminalizing Poverty Campaign aided numerous homeless camps from being gentrified from the poorer areas of the city, according to Thompson. 

To find out more about Occupy Raleigh, check out their website at www.occupyraleigh.org.