In the early evening a large group of protesters paraded around downtown in the light drizzle that covered the metro area.  Around forty police officers surrounded the Freeport McMoran/Westin building where a few protesters heckled the corporate scum in town for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).  ALEC is pretty much a bribe-fest where corporations cater to state legislatures in order to draft laws that only help them make profits, much like the way the private prison industry was involved with pushing legislation such as SB1070.  Rev. Jesse Jackson came to condemn the police for their use of pepper spray at the Occupy ALEC demonstration in Scottsdale, but as Rev. Jackson stood on the steps of City Hall he was campaigning for the Occupy movement like a politician does for office.  Rev. Jackson stated that the movement shall overcome and that everyone needs to, “stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in New York.”  After announcing his four objectives for the movement he made a quick speech in reference to Cesar Chavez and the on going struggle of the Latinos.  Shortly after some photo ops he jetted off to his awaiting vehicle.  The Occupy movement seems to be dwindling in Arizona, but unlike many other movements of our generation it wasn’t that short lived.  Regardless the 1960s are long over, we rather rally in front of Best Buy all night than rally for our future and our rights. 

-J.G.