Occupy Redlands Marches on Large Commercial Target

The still fledgling local Occupy movement made the leap from the tree-lined streets of the Redlands downtown to the commerce haven that is Citrus Plaza on Saturday, a move that struck a note with a lot of onlookers.

About 30 occupiers waving the now well-known variety of signs and chanting “Tell me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!” walked from Indiana Court to Lugonia Avenue west to Alabama Street then eventually into the shopping center.

As they marched, many shoppers voiced their approval while a few parents used the moment as a teaching opportunity. "People do that to express their opinions," one mom told her son.

“This is definitely not the norm, but good to see,” said Garrion Moore, of San Bernardino, as he and his wife, Alexandria Moore, stood in the middle of the Citrus Plaza parking lot watching the procession. The thought had crossed his mind to join, but they had commitments that day.

“I’m a pastor, so I’m for the community,” Garrion Moore said.

“There are a lot of problems in the country,” Alexandria Moore said. “With people unemployed and underemployed, what more can you do but get out and protest?”

Just over three weeks old, the local Occupy Movement has grown from 10 people at a coffee shop to a group that now has media, action and finance committees. The group is participating in group discussions with neighboring Occupy groups -- including Fontana and Riverside and now the recently launched Occupy San Bernardino -- to join forces in a larger Occupy the Inland Empire effort.

Citrus Plaza is a major commercial center in the area drawing most of the business that once went to the all but defunct Redlands Mall. The center includes a Target, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble and a number of eateries. Hundreds from several surrounding cities shop at the center.

Occupy Redlands supporters chose it because “Citrus Plaza represents the 'Paragon of Consumerism' in the Greater Redlands area, and although they are policed and kept safe by the Redlands Police and Fire departments, they pay no taxes to support the City,” according to the group's website.

“Then there are the larger issues of corporate influence in politics,” said Keith Jackson, Occupy Redlands Committee member.

“We have concerns over where political money goes,” he said. As an example, he used the Target Corporation’s backing of a 2010 Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who had a record of opposing gay rights.

Activists were angered by Target’s $150,000 contribution to a political group that had endorsed Emmer. Target markets itself as a progressive company, Jackson said.

“Large corporations can give unlimited amounts of money to politicians and they can do it in the dark of night,” he said.

The Occupy movement began in New York with a group protesting in the financial district. For more information about Occupy Redlands or for details on upcoming events, visit www.occupyredlands.org