Sarasota's Bayfront to be 'Occupied' Saturday

Last week Occupy Sarasota to protest in front of the at Main Street and Orange Avenue. On Saturday, the group is taking its anti-Wall Street movement to the Unconditional Surrender (Kiss Statue), along .

“I thought it was a good turnout last week,” said Occupy Sarasota organizer Mike Martin. 

Many in the community did not receive notice of the Oct. 6 event until one or two days before, Martin said. More than 100 people brought their signs and chanted, “We are the 99 percent” last week.

This time, Martin said he expects a significantly larger crowd because of the advance notice and holding the protest on the weekend. Across the world, hundreds of “Occupy” protests will be taking place, with the hub being Wall Street in New York City.

Occupy Sarasota begins at 10 a.m. with a general assembly at 11 a.m. Also scheduled for Saturday are Occupy Bradenton, Occupy Tampa and Occupy St. Pete.

“I know that from the response that the media is giving to the movement as a whole, people are starting to realize that a lot of people are waking up,” Martin said.

The Occupy Wall Street hub in New York is calling for a march on financial institutions on Saturday. Martin said he is unsure if Occupy Sarasota will march, but that will be decided during the general assembly. 

"If the group feels it necessary to march on the banks, it probably could happen," he said.

The general assembly will also serve as time for protestors to mobilize ground efforts, plan future protests and talk about why they are there. "Hopefully everyone is going to bring a sign to say what is important to them," Martin said. "It's time for a change. People are sick of the 1 percent setting the terms and conditions for 99 percent of us to live on."

On Occupy Sarasota's Facebook page they said: 

This is a rally in support and solidarity with #occupywallst.org and the 99% of Americans who are ready to end the Fed, Stop the corrupt politicians and the elite plutocracy that has taken control of our country.

If you go:

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Where: Unconditional Surrender, Sarasota's bayfront.