Occupy Division Street?

The Occupy movement has a presence in many cities across America.

As of September, Northfield ranks among those cities, with the formation of an activist organization called Occupy Northfield.

The organization, which was started by several students interested in creating a group that could work in conjunction with Occupy Wall Street, now has approximately 65 members. Occupy Northfield meets Sundays in Carleton’s Skinner Chapel to discuss the role wealth plays in American politics.

“At the moment, folks with money in the country, the 1 percent, are controlling our political life,” said Bob Ciernia, a member of Occupy Northfield. "That has pretty significant outcomes when it plays out in our social and economic life."

Occupy Northfield has no designated leaders or formal goals, although Ciernia stated that the organization aims to create awareness and education about democracy. The group’s decision-making process is based on consensus through voting or discussion. 

Principles of consciousness-raising and social justice are at the core of Occupy Northfield, which is akin to the Civil Rights Movement or the Feminist Movement, said Ciernia.

“Wealthy corporations and people with extreme wealth have been able to really control much of what’s going on,” said Steve Janusz, a member of Occupy Northfield. “I see Occupy as a way of being able to rally us and help us learn.”

Occupy Northfield has organized two teach-ins during December.

The is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the .

Rob Hager, a Harvard-trained attorney, international consultant and volunteer with moneyouttapolitics.org, will lead the teach-in. Hager will discuss what the group describes as the 1 percent’s disproportionate political influence and possible solutions.

The second meeting is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Just Food Community Room.

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Occupy Northfield teach-ins
WHEN/WHERE: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Northfield Public Library and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Just Food Community Room.
WHO: Open to the public

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit Occupy Northfield on Facebook