Jake Allen of Rochester chants into a bullhorn on Main Street to keep the crowd fired up while marching on November 2.
Brett Carlsen

At first glance, Washington Square Park in downtown Rochester is less than intimidating. Located across from the Geva Theatre Center, it consists of a scant half acre of land. But recently, this humble park has become the epicenter for Rochester’s leg of the Occupy Wall Street movement, an initially modest protest in New York City that has expanded to include over 900 cities around the world.

Begun in early October, Occupy Rochester shares a credo with its New York City parent: The protestors here peacefully seek political reform, hoping for a change to the control that corporations have over the U.S. government. Protestors identify themselves as the “99%” of the population that does not control the country, and must therefore suffer the tyranny of the wealthiest “1%.”

The occupiers use a horizontal and direct democracy to vote on their methods of protest — no leaders required. Occupier Paul Mabelis explained: “That’s why it draws a lot of people in. People are tired of the hierarchy … We all have voices, and we’re all equally able to use those voices.”

Small protests soon began at the Liberty Pole downtown, but the group did not attempt its first major occupation of the space until October 28. That night, protestors led a march from the Liberty Pole to the park, where they attempted to stay past the park’s 11 p.m. closing time. Rochester police arrived to break up the crowd, warning them that they would be arrested for violating the city’s municipal code unless they got out of the park or stood on the sidewalk. Arrests began shortly after midnight, and by the next morning, 32 had been arrested.

Lydia Billings, a third year Fine Art Photography student and Occupy Rochester protestor, is arrested on November 2 and loaded into the back of a prisoner transport van.
Griffin Moores

“It seemed like the Imperial Stormtroopers marching in ‘Star Wars,’” chuckled Michael Steinberg, a Rochester lawyer supporting the movement. Steinberg has been inaccurately recognized by local media as the protest’s legal adviser. “I’m simply a member of Occupy Rochester who happens to be a lawyer. I’ve called the [Democrat and Chronicle to clarify], but it’s a hard thing to get across,” Steinberg explained. Attending the protest with his wife Loret, an associate professor in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, Steinberg was among those observing the arrests from the sidewalk.

Many of those arrested knew what to expect when they stepped into the park. “When I left the house, I told my husband, ‘I’m pretty sure I’m going to get arrested,’” said Jean Douthwright, a professor of Biology in the College of Science, who was among the arrested.

The arrests also left many feeling empowered: “I think that, except to die for what you believe in, to be chained and dragged off is probably the next best thing that you can do,” explained Olivia Nole-Malpezzi, a self-described “full-time activist” who was also arrested. “You’re literally giving your body for something that is bigger than yourself.”

The group maintained a presence in the park after the arrests, although no further major occupation was attempted until November 2. That day, an estimated 300 people marched to City Hall, protesting the arrests, demanding that the charges be dropped and continuing to spread the movement’s message. Marching with the occupiers were delegates from assorted unions and movements, including the Service Employees International Union, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Workers United, Metro Justice and the Band of Rebels. Representatives from Occupy Buffalo and Occupy Erie were also present.

The group returned to the park and attempted another occupation that night — 14 protestors were arrested, with an additional two joining them later that morning. At the time of printing, the total number of arrests stood at 50. With a few exceptions, all of the charges were for trespassing and being in a park after hours. According to a third year Film and Animation graduate student who was among those arrested and wished to remain anonymous, the consequences are minimal: offenders have their bail set at $200 and are charged with the two aforementioned citations. However, those arrested can take an “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal,” which means that all charges will be dropped if the defendant stays out of trouble for the next six months.

Rochester is so far the only city in New York State to have a public encampment shut down in a public park, drawing ire from the New York Civil Liberties Union. Said KaeLyn Rich, director of the NYCLU’s Genesee Valley Chapter, “Cracking down on the Occupy Rochester protest violates the spirit of the First Amendment and is an affront to our city’s great civil rights legacy.”

The Mayor’s Office did not return calls for comment, but Rochester Police Officer Stephen Scott explained the Department’s stance: “If there’s something that needs to be enforced … then we will be enforcing any and all violations … We certainly want [protesters] to have freedom of speech, and to speak their minds, but they need to do so in a lawful manner.”

Expectedly, protestors are displeased with the city’s response. “There is no reason that … the police have to come in, with huge wastes of city resources, and drag people out of the park every single night. It is absolutely ridiculous,” said occupier Ryan Acuff in an article for the Democrat & Chronicle.

Unlike the recent protests in Oakland, Calif., the protests in Rochester have not turned violent. “[There] is always a fear, in any open situation, that there will be extremists or others who have their own interests first,” said Loret Steinberg. “People who destroy are not interested in adapting, listening and shaping new ideas that are part of a larger social structure.”

Alex C. (right) of Rochester, meditates while waiting for police to arrest protesters remaining in the parks after the 11 p.m. curfew on November 2. Alex was one of the first arrested by police around midnight.
Brett Carlsen

“We are a movement of compassion,” said Nole-Malpezzi with a smile. Indeed, the protestors are friendly and supportive of each other. As each of the fifty people was arrested, onlookers would yell their names and chant, “We love you!”

Evan Vaughn, a third year New Media Interactive Development major, was a non-participator among the first 32 arrested — he was also the last person arraigned on October 29. While everyone else was arraigned around 9:30 a.m., he was forced to wait until 1 p.m. and was returned to his cell. “Everyone who was at Occupy pitched in for my bail once they found out,” he said.

As the days go on and winter draws closer, the movement does not show any signs of slowing — there have been at least two members marching around the park on constant rotation since October 28. “To make your presence known 24 hours a day is a special form of protest,” reiterated Michael Steinberg. “You think about the Arab Spring — it wouldn’t have meant the same thing if people went home and came back the next morning.”

Prior to the end of the rally at City Hall, occupier Ream Kidane stood to give the closing speech. He was feeding off the energy of the crowd, his eyes glistening — the people were with him. He prepared to march with the occupiers back to the park, knowing that he must choose his words carefully. As they roared, he uttered his final declaration: “This is our world, and we will occupy it!”