Occupy Seattle Protests on 2nd Anniversary of Citizens United, By Holly Homan

On Saturday January 21st, 2012, several hundred people from all walks of life joined together in an event sponsored by Occupy Seattle. The occasion was the second anniversary of The Supreme Court of the United States declaring that corporations are people and have the right to free speech, and thus, may now contribute as much money as they want to political campaigns. In my humble opinion, the popular name of this case, Citizens United, is mis-titled. Corporations United would make a more appropriate title since the ruling has nothing to do with citizens or uniting them and everything to do with uniting corporations so they can buy our elections.

The turnout was small — only a few hundred people. But those who turned out braved icy winds whipping up from Elliott Bay and dodged clumps of crusty snow and slushy puddles to voice their outrage over this ruling.

When I arrived, the march was just getting started. We left Westlake Center and marched through the streets with the same Occupy chants of “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out” and, “We are the 99 percent.” This message has stayed constant for the life of the movement, so for those who still say the movement has no coherent message, if you don’t get it by now, there’s little hope you ever will.

Two people on stilts dressed as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam respectively, led the march to the Henry Jackson Federal Building. There, under the watchful eye of about a half dozen Homeland Security staff, we occupied the front steps. Yellow tape surrounded the entrance, barring any unwanted entry, so I guess they were expecting us. A huge scroll mock up of the OWS constitution was rolled out revealing signatures from people all over the country. Sharpies were handed out for today’s participants to sign their names. While I watched them do this I noted signatures from Wisconsin and Ohio. A little girl of about four years old picked up pens and handed them to whomever waited to sign.

A few people led the crowd in chants like, “We refuse to play the role, corporate government has got to go.” At one point, someone started the crowd singing the Sesame Street song, “Who Are the People In Your Neighborhood?”

As always, there were people from all walks of life participating in today’s event. There were families with young children, alternate lifestyle people, people who looked like they may be homeless, young people, older people and everything in between.

– Holly Homan

All photos by Holly Homan. All rights reserved.