The national Occupy movement has been getting their voices heard but as for running political candidates, there doesn’t seem to be a unified push to do so. A UW-Whitewater professor – helping organize a rally – is unsure if any Wisconsin candidates have backing from affiliated groups.
“I can’t speak for the entire movement but I can say there are some politicians that are more likely to speak our language,” says Hartwick. He cites State Representative Andy Jorgensen, State Representative Peter Barca, and State Senator Jon Erpenbach who are slated to attend tonight’s OccupyWhitewater/Recall Walker rally. He adds the lawmakers have not joined the Occupy movement, rather have accepted invitations as elected officials.
The assistant professor is also concerned the current economic system favors big banks over people trying to get an education. “Students borrow from the government at 7 percent. Banks borrow at .25 percent.” He says it’s a double whammy for students at UW campuses as the UW-System is dealing with massive state budget cuts.
The UW-Whitewater College Republicans are planning their own gathering tonight. According to their Facebook page, the group is staging a Counter Rally to Stand With Governor Walker.
