Occupy Movement Reaches Redlands, Loma Linda

The Occupy movement has arrived in Redlands.

A group from the newly formed Occupy Redlands will hold a protest in front of Chase Bank, on the northwest corner of Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street, starting at 5 tonight.

The group will also protest on the same corner on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m.

The protests will lead up to a larger Oct. 15 Global Day of Action rally. Redlands members will hold a protest at noon that will include a march. The group will meet at the corner of Fifth Street and Redlands Boulevard on Saturday.

Occupy Redlands members said they have begun to spread their message and planned to demonstrate in an effort to gain support. The group has grown to roughly 25 active members from around the area in a week with little promotion, organizers said.

“All voices will be heard,” wrote member Keith Jackson on the group’s website. "This is a movement of the people.”

Occupy groups around the world plan to hold events on Saturday, according to Occupywallst.org. The site is calling for people rise up to claim their rights and demand a true democracy through non-violent protest.

“The ruling powers work for the benefit of just a few, ignoring the will of the vast majority and the human and environmental price we all have to pay,” according to a statement on the website. “This intolerable situation must end.”

“United in one voice, we will let politicians, and the financial elites they serve, know it is up to us, the people, to decide our future,” the statement continues. “We are not goods in the hands of politicians and bankers who do not represent us.”

For information on the event visit the Occupy Redlands website or the Facebook page.