The Facts: Occupy NCSU took to Nelson Hall on Wednesday during a speech from Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf . The occupiers targeted both Stumpf and his company in their protests.
Our Opinion: Occupy movements have been criticized on two fronts: leadership and focus. The Occupy NCSU breaks the mold. It has central leadership and a focus. The movement should not be lumped in with the rest and should be respected because of it.
In recent months, the Occupy movement seems to be dying down both in its force and in the attention it garners. Unfortunately, the public’s interest in the Occupy movement is atrophying at the very time where it should be strengthened. Some occupy movements are centralizing, casting down prior criticisms, and this centralization warrants attention.
We at the Technician have criticized Occupy movements from Raleigh to Wall Street on two fronts: lack of leadership and lack of purpose. The Wall Street movement developed organically and lacks a functional or influential leader; the Raleigh movement was formed in a similar manner. The lack of leadership is not a problem if not for its result – a lack of purpose. Without a vision, without a mission, there cannot be a conjoint purpose and real change, whatever that may be, cannot be enacted.
We should take heart in the over 150 Occupy movements on college campuses across the country. Occupy NCSU reveals itself to be of a different breed. The movement has clear leadership, whether it be official or not, from graduate student in sociology Ryan Thomson, senior in fashion and textile management Katina Gad and faculty advisor Dick Reavis . Together they have formed the public face of the movement: organizing permits, buses and rallies for the movement at NCSU .
Not only does the Occupy NCSU movement have leadership, it has a clear mission as well: “We are organizing a student movement aimed at combating increased tuition and fees while seeking to rid N.C . State of corporate influence.” They upheld their mission in full force Wednesday, taking on Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf as he gave a speech in Nelson Hall.
Stumpf was not met with the worn-down chants of the 99 percent; rather, a more targeted attack was made. A room rife with occupiers berated Stumpf’s company and himself for their business practices. The occupiers were quelled by security and applause.
We are not issuing a call to arms here, all we are issuing is a call for respect. We have respect for the new direction of the movement. The typical criticisms of Occupy movements do not apply at N.C . State. With direction and a clear message, the occupiers at N.C . State stand on much firmer ground than their peers.
On a final note, we respect the occupiers for doing something. We respect them for standing up for what they believe in, even if we are not 100 percent on the same page. Radical social change cannot be made without mobilization.
