Occupy Port Jefferson Protester Saw Change Occur Before and Hopes to See it Again

The Occupy Port Jefferson demonstrators have been able to both visibly express their messages and at the same time blend with the surroundings, sometimes in humorous and clever ways to make themselves known. For example, , the Occupy Port Jefferson protestors dressed up as paupers and went around locked in chains and behind bars in debtor’s prisons, bringing to light the message that Dickens himself was one of the first to rail against the 1 percent.

The seem to be of a different demographic than the Occupy Wall Street protesters we see on television. They’re not out-of-work, digital youth generation just out of college. Most are Baby Boomers. Many are even older.

What attracts these people to go out and protest every week? We asked some .

Today we present answers from Michael Mart, a Port Jefferson resident who has been out on the corner of Main Street and East Broadway with the Occupy Port Jefferson demonstrators taking part in what they are calling informational picketing.

Mart considers himself just two years older than the Baby Boomer generation and has been a part of progressive movements for change since the civil rights era.

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

It is important to see how democracy works, and to see it in every community. Demonstrations are one form of democracy.

Have you ever protested before this?

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?

The protest movements against the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and Women's Rights took place during the coming of age of my generation. I was pleased to be a part of those movements, and gratified by the Civil and Women's rights achieved that are now part of the fabric of our society.

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

Occupy Port Jeff is just a small, but significant, part of the larger Occupy Movements occurring around the country, but no less significant than previous movements for progressive change.

What do you hope to do with protest/change?

Encourage others to be informed about and involved in actions by others that have affects on their lives; to bring an end to the 1 percent of Americans having so much power over the other 99 percent.

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

Protest is the American character; the ideals of democracy, freedom, and equal opportunities are not given but won by protest actions and voting.

What is the most pressing problem in this country today?

The lack of affordable wages paid by corporations, many of which avoid paying Corporate Income taxes, has decimated the Middle Class as we experienced it up until about 20 years ago, and is offering a dim future for today's youth. For example, General Electric paying $13 an hour for manufacturing jobs is not a livable wage. Those full-time wage earners are often eligible for Federal Food Stamps, which then becomes in essence a subsidy to GE and others paying similar low wages.

What is your greatest hope for this country?

My greatest hope for America is that it regains its ability to provide remarkable opportunities for all, in education, health care, social mobility, and increased standards of living. That never again can the distribution of wealth and influence be so skewed as to be accurately described by 1 percent having more than 99 percent.