In the early weeks of Occupy Wall Street, movements popped up across the nation and the world. Occupy Gainesville soon followed suit.
Occupy Gainesville observed the one-year anniversary of its parent movement Monday. However, the organization decided not to host an event. Instead it opted to celebrate Occupy Gainesville’s one-year anniversary later this month, said Tommy Baker, a UF alumnus.
During the past year, Occupy Gainesville has been in the local spotlight for a series of arrests and protests.
Baker said the Gainesville movement has been successful overall.
“Compared to where we were a year ago, I feel a lot better about my community and that my community can come together,” he said.
Here’s a look at Occupy Gainesville’s year:
- Oct. 5: Occupy Gainesville hosted an informational meeting on the Bo Diddley Community Plaza to start the city movement.
- Oct. 13: Occupy UF hosted a meeting to form the university movement
- Oct. 14: Several protesters, including Bo Diddley’s son, were arrested for trespassing on Bo Diddley Community Plaza.
- Nov. 13: Police arrested about 20 Occupy Gainesville protesters for trespassing on Bo Diddley Community Plaza.
- Jan. 22: Best-selling author Cornel West led an Occupy Gainesville protest to the front of the Alachua County Courthouse.
Contact Shelby Webb at swebb@alligator.org.
