KAPA‘A — Chanting slogans to call attention to what they see as a dangerous turn in corporate-influenced government, a stream of nearly 150 people lined both sides of the highway in front of Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center early Saturday afternoon.
KAPA‘A — Chanting slogans to call attention to what they see as a dangerous turn in corporate-influenced government, a stream of nearly 150 people lined both sides of the highway in front of Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center early Saturday afternoon.
Liberals and libertarians alike were standing together holding signs for change. They seemed to agree with October protesters on the Mainland and around the world that the problem is the status quo and that it is not going to change without public pressure.
“I’ve been waiting for this for 40 years,” said Johnny “Z.” “Everything that has been happening all this time has come to a head.”
Most of the signs had to do with the “99 percent cry for change,” identifying the population at the bottom end of what they say are the 1 percent who control most of the economy.
Other signs were aimed at the bailout banks that they identified as criminals who continue to influence government to curb attempts at forcing reform.
Americans are working harder and for less money and benefits, other signs said. Many said the fear a disappearing middle class and rising poverty as more wealth makes its way to fewer hands.
Derrick Ledesma, a key organizer, said he was pleased the crowd tripled the number he anticipated. The Occupy Kaua‘i event is independent of the Occupy Earth movement, he said, and is moved by the October2011events calling for an end to escalating military spending and the 11-year war in Afghanistan.
Ledesma encouraged citizens to look at the amount of funding that elected officials have supported for military related projects. Then he asked them to compare those billions to what is being spent on health, education and infrastructure.
There is no excuse for schools taking furlough Fridays, he added.
Toni Liljengren said the crowds at the Kaua‘i event and others around the nation and the world represents critical mass as one voice for change. She said the government is not the enemy — and that they want officials to stand up and take back power for the people.
“Today is day one,” she said.
Liljengren said her concerns are that the corporate influence on regulatory controls has led to the poisoning of air, land, water and food. She said the pharmaceutical companies have influenced the way people treat the sick, such as lobbying for tight controls on naturopathic medicines.
Fred Dente said this is reinventing democracy. He said the representative system was created by white landowners to ensure that control remained with the few. He was voicing a call for a direct democracy as a solution to the influence of lobbyists and corruption.
Another participant, Marjory Berkman, said she was there to support the birthright of Americans to speak out and fight for a right to thrive in life.
Yael Li-Ron recalled her childhood in Israel when it was still a socialist country. It had its problems but everyone had adequate health care and no one was homeless.
She said economic advisers encouraged the privatization of everything and the result was much like what is happening now around the world. She said the events are concerned about values and people are bringing this to the forefront.
Tytus Bontea carried a sign to support Ron Paul and to draw attention to the Federal Bank as the source of wars, deficit spending and corruption. He offered words of caution for the times.
Bontea said he was raised in communist Romania until he jumped ship as a merchant seaman in London in 1969. Today, a proud father of children serving in the Middle East, Bontea said he fears something is trying to establish itself that reminds him of the totalitarian state he escaped.
The propaganda, the monitoring of conversations and oppression of dissent have concerned him and he was compelled to join the people who fear the same. Bontea said diversion issues such as taxing the rich are about getting more revenue when the real concern is what that revenue is used for.
Daryl Dobashi, a local attorney, was present to draw attention to U.S. House Bill 2966, which would protect wild mustang horses. He said that the mustang strides differently that domesticated horses and represents the spirit of America as much as the bald eagle.
Most people driving by honked and waved. One SUV driver waiting to leave the parking lot asked what they were doing. When he learned he raised his middle finger to the crowd.
Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry spoke with several participants at the rally. He said KPD was present in the interests of public safety and not to control the protesters. He said police were there to protect the right of free speech and to ensure that people who disagree with their views do not get out of hand.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.
