In just one hour, a constant flow of people in suits, rags, sweater vests, book bags and dresses filtered in and out of “Troy Davis Park.” Wherever they came from, curiosity filled their faces as they approached a monument of sorts in the center of the park: the “Believe” wall. Filled with sheets of paper of all different colors, each sheet had different handwriting and each sheet contained its own complaint, cry for help, or inspiring message. Gathering around this wall, the unlikeliest of groups formed in earnest conversation, many of them Georgia State University students, all of them willing to listen.
“I believe... that love is intrinsic to us and we need to spread it” was the message written by Megan Hollomon, a 19-year-old GSU student visiting the park for the first time on Tuesday. Hollomon said that she had been keeping up with Occupy Wall Street in New York and that she was curious about Occupy Atlanta.
“I know it’s not big, but it’s powerful,” said Hollomon. According to Hollomon, the movement in Atlanta “seems very liberal and progressive, but it’s not just Republican or Democrat.”
Hollomon said that here, everyone is coming out because they feel their rights have been violated.
“Everybody’s story is important,” she said.
Daniela Villamizar and John Fink, both 19-year-old Georgia State students, sat near the “Believe” wall as they at their lunch.
“I think it’s cool how it’s right here downtown on our campus,” said Villamizar, about the Occupy Atlanta protests.
“All of my friends are doing it,” said Fink. He said that he was not involved because the movement has “no general consensus.
“I think it’s a product of where we are in society right now.”
Villamizar and Fink discussed how technology is, for the first time, enabling us to watch protesters live. Fink said that although there does not seem to be a large group of people protesting, there does not need to be.
“I don’t think this movement would be nearly as strong without technology,” said Amber Thornton, a 21-year-old GSU student studying English. She found out about the protests in Atlanta from her Sociology and LGBT Studies classes.
“I’m a huge proponent of the Occupy movement,” said Thornton. “I’m proud that our city has stood up and taken part in the protests.
“The Occupy movement has no leader, which is significant. Their list of grievances was written collectively, reflecting their collective statement – that corporate capitalism has infiltrated major aspects of our economy and society at large. Corporations need to be separated from government in order to redistribute wealth and power more fairly.”
Thornton said that the public presence of Occupy Atlanta on GSU campus is a reminder to students that activism and organization are useful tools in the fight against oppression. She said that their greatest achievement has been its ability to raise awareness.
“I think there is a reason why Occupy chose Woodruff Park over other public areas, like Centennial Olympic. The presence and participation of students, in my opinion, is central to the success of the movement.”
Thornton said that she knows several people who have taken part in the movement.
“The longer Occupy remains, the more likely people are to participate. The more police get involved, the more likely more people are to participate. I think that people want to feel like they are a part of something larger and important.”
Cassidy Stallings, a 22-year-old student at GSU, first heard about Occupy Atlanta when she saw flyers on campus and Facebook posts.
“I feel it is fair to say that there is not a single, specific goal of the movement, but many, fluid ideas of what is wrong with the country and those who run it,” said Stallings. “I feel that the Occupy movement is more focused on everyone getting the chance to have a voice and fight back rather than having a verified beginning and end.”
“It’s hard for people to understand that it’s not just one big problem,” Stallings said. She went to Woodruff Park on the first Friday of the Occupy Atlanta protests and took part in the march to the Bank of America.
“I hope the Atlanta movement is recognized by our state government, and the city itself,” said Hollomon. “People are here for a reason.”
“I can only hope that Occupy continues on, strong and active,” said Thornton. Thornton says that she is not sure what will happen next, but she hopes that Atlanta will set a precedent.
Stallings believes that the movement is affecting GSU students in an important way.
“I think it’s opening the eyes of some GSU students that were not aware of what was really going on. It’s starting conversations and new ideas. It’s a beautiful thing.”
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