Occupy Rapid City activists say they will make a difference - KOTA Territory News

The group Occupy Rapid City speak loud and clear: they want political and financial power back in the hands of the 99 percenters, not the country's wealthiest 1 percent.
 
"When you see people protesting like this, it's a sign of deep seeded unrest," Protester Jim McReynolds said.  "There is a need for much greater accountability and its just not there," he continued.
 
Demonstrators claim the only group Congress listens to is the rich. They say they are jobless even with degrees, and others say their retirement funds are dwindling.
 
"There is a lot of anger and frustration and hopefully that will result in Congress paying attention, probably a new Congress," Former state legislator Tom Katus said.  "I think we gotta get these skunks out."
 
According to Katus this is also happening here in South Dakota.  "We already have a state legislature that is bought and paid for by the 1 percenters. We have two individuals in this community who routinely buy politicians," Katus said.
 

That's more reason for the group to continue their fight.  They hope the simple act of protesting will stimulate change just as it did in the 1960's.  "I think we need a mass movement to build a prairie fire under both parties," Katus said.  "When people come together like this they begin to realize that there are people who think like they do," McReynolds said.

The Occupy Rapid City chapter meets each Monday night with demonstrations on Saturdays.  For more information go to: http://occupyrapidcity.wordpress.com.