Occupy Phoenix Begins
“Free University”
Phoenix Police watch Occupy Phoenix and ALEC protesters at Kierland park last month.
By Staff Report
Modern Times Magazine
Jan. 7, 2012 — Occupy Phoenix is dedicating itself to education in January, hosting a series of “Free University” workshops throughout the month. Events will begin in earnest today at noon at Cesar Chavez plaza in downtown Phoenix with a rally and march in support of public education in Arizona as well as a slate of workshops on school vouchers, merit pay for teachers, high-stakes testing, the rising cost of college tuition, the attack on ethnic studies in Arizona, and other topics.
"Are you a parent who has seen cutbacks damage your children's public school? Are you a teacher struggling with low pay, large classes, and little support? Are you a college student buried in debt? Join us on January 7th at noon and speak out! Let's send a message to our legislators that our children's education is not for sale! A good education is a right, NOT a privilege for only the wealthy few," according to the Occupy Phoenix press release.
Occupy Phoenix continues to evolve despite varied levels of support and continued pressure from the city of Phoenix. The police department has raided the camp twice, arresting late-night protesters for violation of the urban camping law most recently on Dec. 29. During these raids, canopies, marine batteries and other items are also seized.
“Apparently, the City of Phoenix can’t comprehend the irony of harassing protesters at a plaza named for a man who dedicated his life to peacefully standing against economic injustice,” said Diane D’Angelo, Occupy Phoenix media volunteer on Dec. 29 in reference to Cesar Chavez. “The fact that Phoenix PD, whose wages and benefits are under attack, are so willing to arrest citizens taking a stand against the destruction of the middle class is indicative of just how siloed (sic) we’ve all become.”
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