Occupy Riverside start beating the drum at UCR

The Occupy Wall Street movement has moved inland to the streets of Riverside. Small groups of demonstrators are camping out near city hall and other locations. Today they gathered at UC Riverside.

As with other “Occupy” protests, demands can be diffused and a bit vague. But the occupiers (or demonstrators) share the same sense of economic and social inequality – and a love of drums.

On this crisp, sunny afternoon a handful of Occupy organizers gathered beneath the bell tower at UC Riverside to recruit potential foot soldiers, and try to explain their motivations and what the movement is all about.

“My interest in Occupy developed after hearing about UCR graduates who just cannot find work," UC Riverside librarian Stephen Mitchell said to the crowd.

"It’s about my brother who got laid off 2 months ago,” Mitchell, who helped organize the gathering, continued. “For my 20 and 24-year-old daughters and for many of you, are expected to graduate into what is now being termed the 'Lost Decade.' I cannot accept this. I know you cannot accept this."

Occupy supporters decried rising tuition fees, diminishing job prospects and the cratered housing market.

Earlier this week Occupy demonstrators interrupted a foreclosure auction held every week on the steps the Riverside County courthouse.

As a crowd they sang, “Mr. auctioneer, for all people here, we’re asking you to hold all the sales right now..!”

Sergio Ballesteros, an Occupy organizer, assured the crowd that their efforts in Riverside are important and focused their efforts into more than just fighting city hall.

“Absolutely we want you to get involved, I would love to see you all at Occupy LA or supporting Occupy Riverside but its bigger than just getting you to city hall," Ballesteros said. “It goes back to you communities too, to start general assemblies, to start talking to the people within your own communities because this is not a Wall Street movement. This is a movement of all us and we have to take ownership!”

Demonstrators say they’ll hold their ground outside Riverside City Hall. Next month they plan to take part in “Bank Transfer Day” – a one day boycott that encourages people to close accounts at major banks and open new ones at local credit unions.