(AllHipHop News) “We are the 99%!” Occupy Wall Street could very well be one of the most important protests of Americans’ lifetimes, as well as one of the most confusing. Many people are bewildered about what exactly the movement stands for; after all, it has no public leader and no demands.
The average person seems to think that it’s just a gathering of people camping out in both public and private parks around the nation. I must admit, up until recently, I was one of those people; until I got the opportunity to visit Occupy Newark and speak with some of the very passionate people participating in the movement.
Occupy Newark began on November 18, 2011, in Military Park in downtown Newark, New Jersey. The movement is peaceful and nonviolent. The park currently has about 30 tents that have been locked in position for almost three months, with occupants coming from all over the nation to participate.
Like the Occupy Wall Street movement, Occupy Newark’s goal is to raise awareness regarding corporate greed and corruption, as well as social and economic inequality and the high unemployment rate. One issue that makes them stand out from other Occupy movements is their commitment to solving the homelessness problem that plagues the city of Newark.
Take a look at the video below to hear some of the Newark Occupiers speak about what they would like President Barack Obama to say about their movement during tonight’s State of the Union Address, as well as what they would like to accomplish by participating in Occupy Newark:
During President Barack Obama’s address tonight, AllHipHop.com, The League Of Young Voters Education Fund, and Rock The Vote will host the 2nd Annual #BarackTalk, a State of the Union roundtable discussion and watch party.
The event will feature a series of panel discussions about the biggest issues facing the young generation and will broadcast live from Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C. at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Be sure to tune in right here on www.AllHipHop.com or www.BarackTalk.com, and please feel free to tweet questions or leave comments about the discussion at @theleague99.