Harrisburg, meet your new neighbors.
Many of them are young, but not all. Many are left-of-center–some way left–but again not all. They’re of all races, backgrounds and religions, or no religion at all.
They’re the not-so-temporary residents of Occupy Harrisburg. And, despite having their Riverfront Park encampment torn down last month by the city, they plan to stick around town awhile, maybe a long while.
“We’ll be here until our leaders listen to us, until they stop cutting backroom deals,” said Nelson Lugo, a 23-year-old Lancaster native. “We’re here for as long as it takes.”
They have passion and principle and a belief that their government has been hijacked by big money and big business. To them, an appropriate motto might be, “out of sight, out of mind,” so they plan to stay visible as long as they can.
Already, the Occupiers have shown some mettle, braving rough fall weather that included a bizarre October snowstorm.
They’ve also braved some hecklers screaming out car windows and a few people who’ve wanted to argue with them. But, all in all, they say that most passersby have been supportive, with a steady stream of passing cars honking approval in front of the protest on the Capitol steps.
Woody Wiest, 29, is another resident of the Occupy Harrisburg neighborhood, and he also spends his days beneath a canopy at the base of the Capitol.
Originally from Elizabethville, Wiest was working in France when the Occupy protests began. Needing to return to the United States to renew his visa, he migrated back to his old midstate stomping grounds, picked up a sign and became an activist.
Here, he’s found a community within a community–a group of like-minded people, as well as many city residents who have been supportive of the cause he’s dedicated to.
“There’s been such a positive response from the people who walk and drive by here,” he said.
Until late November, that warm welcome seemed to extend to official Harrisburg. The city let the Occupiers camp in Riverfront Park without a permit for almost two weeks before a changing course and removing about a dozen tents.
“The city is sensitive to First Amendment rights,” city spokesman Robert Philbin said. “However the encampment (was) in violation of four city ordinances …”
A few days later, the Harrisburg Friends Meeting allowed the group to move its site on N. 6th St., a few blocks from the Capitol, providing room for camping, as well as bathrooms and cooking facilities. The city later approved the site.
Elsewhere in Harrisburg, the Occupiers also have found comfort.
Up N. 3rd Street, Café di Luna has become a gathering place where owner Ambreen Esmail has offered a warm place to escape the chill, encouragement and even some freebies to the new neighbors.
Further up 3rd, some of the first organizational meetings were held at Midtown Scholar Bookstore. This month, the movement plans a series of teach-in events there, including an appearance by controversial activist Bill Ayers on Dec. 14.
“it’s good to see young people so engaged in the community and caring passionately about important issues,” said Eric Papenfuse, co-owner of Midtown Scholar. “I would encourage the public to come to an event here and engage them in conversation.”
Back on the street in front of the Capitol, the city’s crackdown hasn’t deterred the Occupiers. Nor do they seem concerned that they will wear out their welcome from a city that, so far, has been relatively tolerant.
They’re remaining positive and are bracing for winter’s fury.
“No matter what happens, we’ve been successful because we got our message out,” said Lugo.
