Former Equality Rider Impacts Occupy Raleigh (November 2011)

Rachel Powell, 2006 Soulforce Equality Rider, makes headlines through her participation and support of Occupy Raleigh in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.  As reported by Frances Ellis (TechnicianOnline.com), Powell is among three of the people present at the November 6, 2011 protest as part of the Occupy Raleigh movement which intends to increase awareness in Raleigh of economic inequality and apathy toward those with fewer resources.

From TechnicianOnline.com:

Occupiers trudge on despite cold, adversity, police
Occupy Raleigh protesters claim they will not stop until Raleigh wakes up.

By Frances Ellis, Staff Writer

The intersection of Fayetteville and Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh became the home for Occupy Raleigh four weeks ago. Sometimes there was a crowd; sometimes only a meager number of people. But regardless of time and day, there have been people passionate enough about the cause to spend their time on the sidewalk.

The demographics of the activists and curious visitors vary dramatically.

“Every kind of person comes here,” Jess Cronmiller, a mother who has lived in Raleigh for ten years and has been involved with Occupy Raleigh from its inception, said. “I’ve met doctors. I’ve met homeless guys. I’ve met teachers, teenagers, college students, all races, all creeds, republicans, democrats, tea partiers, liberals, anarchists—everyone is here.”

Rachel Powell, a doctorate student in sociology, said the movement has incorporated people of all walks of life.

“We have people who have degrees with people who never got a chance to go to college,” Powell said. “There are people who work next to people who don’t. Minimum wage laborers next to professionals. You see all different types of ethnicities and nationalities. What’s interesting is the demographic shift depending…Read Full Article Here.