Occupy Sarasota Comes to Downtown

For , Thursday's rally represents the first public protest to raise awareness for what they said is a corrupt financial system.

Stop printing money.

End the Fed.

Support the unions.

People over profits.

Young and old, rich and poor or black and white, the crowd's demographics were as diverse as their demands were many.

"I’m here to protest our country becoming a plutocracy," said Sarasota resident Van Deist. "I don’t believe corporations are persons. Don’t believe foreign companies should be able to influence our politics by buying lobbyists, who buy our congressman, who then make our laws."

Ringling College of Art and Design student Van Jasmin said he's been following the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City and across the nation closely. He said Thursday's protest is just a start. There is much room for growth, he said.

"Next time I would like to see more engagement, more art and music and actually taking over the street," Jasmin said. "We need to bring out the homeless, jobless, the activist groups. It would be nice to have everyone involved."

On Thursday, a postal worker drove by and honked. So did the driver of a Publix semi truck.

"This is just the start," said protester Leslie Tetrault. "We are here to raise awareness for the Occupy Wall Street movement."

Occupy Sarasota is already planning another rally on Oct. 15. A countywide Occupy Sarasota protest is set for Oct. 29. Both rallies are tentatively planned to be held at Sarasota's Bayfront near the Unconditional Surrender statue.