Occupy Tulsa I: The March
A local man who asked not to be identified adjusts his hat while sitting on a ledge before assembling for an Occupy Tulsa protest at the BOK Center on Oct. 15, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
The Occupy Wall Street movement has officially arrived in northeastern Oklahoma. Actually, they’ve been around for a few weeks but finally had a large, public demonstration this weekend. Hundreds gathered at the BOK Center to share stories, make signs, hear activists list grievances against big banks and corporations, and ultimately get fired up from a speech by a teamster before heading out on a march through downtown. Unlike in other cities in the U.S. and abroad where protesters have confronted (or been confronted by) police and law enforcement, the Tulsa demonstration was entirely peaceful. In fact, in the nearly two hours I spent at the BOK Center and following the movement around the city, I only saw one police officer who remained in his patrol car on a routine drive through town.
It will be interesting to see the changes, development or growth of this local group in the coming weeks.
Joel Debrosse stands outside the BOK Center with a dollar bill inscribed with the word "occupy" taped over his mouth in Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 15, 2011. The symbol has been common throughout various Occupy protests throughout the country. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Local farmer Donna Vogelpohl holds an anti-corporation sign and a copy of the Constitution while at the Occupy Tulsa protest at the BOK Center on Oct. 15, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Occupy Tulsa protesters carrying signs walk on a Third Street sidewalk past guitarist Rockwell Ryan Ripperger during a march through downtown Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 15, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Gus Williams, left, and Jill Reynolds stand outside the BOK Center during the Occupy Tulsa protest on Oct. 15, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
Occupy Tulsa demonstrators carrying signs are reflected in a Third Street window in Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 15, 2011. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World