Wall Street Protestors Visit SUNY Purchase

The well-known hand gestures and assembly discussions that have created a movement in New York City and across the United States made their way to SUNY Purchase Thursday night, as students got a first-hand look at the Occupy Wall Street movement.

More than 100 students packed the Red Room on the Purchase campus for a two-hour discussion that covered everything from what life is like for protestors in New York City, to the overall direction of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

From hand-gestures to express opinions during debates and discussions, to the human microphone technique used in New York City, about five members of the Occupy Wall Street movement shared what it's like to spend a day as part of the movement in New York City parks.

The occupy movement, which among other things stands for an end to perceived social and economic inequality, preaches a mentality of speaking out and discussing solutions to political and social issues affecting people all over the country. Organizers and students who have joined the Occupy Wall Street movement discussed the past, present and future of the overall movement itself.

Like the protests themselves, the meeting was "horizontal" in nature, in that it was more of a discussion between those there, as opposed to a lecture. Occupy organizers touted their self-policing system as one that allows for new ideas while keeping all discussions moving in a positive direction. There are no leaders in the movement, and people are urged to share responsibility and speaking time.

Karen Baird, a political science professor at Purchase, helped organize the event for students and the surrounding community.

"I was very happy with the turnout, I was very happy with the process," said Baird. "Sometimes you really don't know what to expect when you bring people in to speak, but I was very happy."

Baird, who says she supports the Occupy Wall Street movement personally, said the speakers were brought in as a lesson to students about the democratic processes and the options people have to participate.

"I support the Democratic processes," said Baird. "I really like the democratic processes of on the ground, grassroots, movement-building."