Occupy Port Jefferson Member Started Protesting Later in Life

Inspired by the protesters on Wall Street, as demonstrators stood on the corner of Main Street and East Broadway practicing what they called .

But New York City is a big stage. Occupy Wall Street was able to attract major media coverage. Whether you agree with them or not they have been successful at making their message known.

What do people on a corner in a small Long Island village hope to accomplish by protesting every week? These protesters are not the out-of-work, digital youth generation just out of college camping out in tents. Most are Baby Boomers. Many are even older. What attracts these people to go out and protest every week? We asked three regular Occupy Port Jefferson demonstrators some questions about what they do and why.

Today we profile Bill McNulty. McNulty is a regular protester who has lived in Setauket for the last 47 years. Born in 1935, said he did not begin actively protesting until the first Gulf War.

What motivates you to demonstrate with the Occupy Port Jefferson movement?

McNulty: I have been a resister of the dominant culture for some time and where as my initial activities took me to many distant places, I feel action within your own community is most productive and rewarding.

Have you ever protested before this?

McNulty: Yes

Were you a protester during the Vietnam War, civil rights, women's rights, nuclear or other movements? Anything specific you'd like to share of you did?

McNulty: I did not actively protest until the first Gulf War. Just prior to that event I was beginning to recognize the real objectives of U.S. foreign policy as I observed what was going on in Latin America. I was especially jolted with the murder of the six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her 16-year old daughter. This was followed by our government’s actions in bombing Libya, the invasion of Grenada and finally the invasion of Panama. It was at that time that the build up to Gulf War 1 started and I began to work feverishly to prevent it.

Also, if you did, how does the Occupy Port Jeff movement compare to those past ones?

McNulty: Occupy Port Jefferson is a continuation of resistance, to government actions, on a local level, which have become completely at odds with what this country is supposed to be about. Or maybe it's exactly what the country has been about from day one but has become expert in creating an alternate reality.

What do you hope to do with protest/change?

McNulty: I hope that protest/resistance will cause serious questions to be raised as to how our country might behave throughout the world and at home.

Is protest and rebellion a part of America’s character?

McNulty: Protest and rebellion have been with us from the start, as a matter of fact it is at the basis of our formation.

Do you thing protests and these movements can actually change the world?

McNulty: Here I guess I would have to refer to Amon Hennessey, a long time participant in CD aimed at promoting change. When before the judge – a person he had encountered many times before – he was asked by the judge, “Amon, do you really thing these actions will change the world?” He answered, “Maybe not, but I know the world will not change me.” Then there is Gandhi, who said among many other things, whatever you do, it may do no good, but you better do it anyway. So, look at the vanes of the windmill and keep trying. By the way you meet a lot of good people along the way.

Most pressing problem in this country today?

McNulty: Most pressing problems for me, best described in a formulation I worked out in jail. The three C's. Being complaint, being complacent and finally being complicit.

What is your greatest hope for this country?

McNulty: Greatest hope? Wow, that a big one. Maybe that we can do the most revolutionary thing we are capable of: naming reality and at the same time remaining hopeful.