Occupy Comes to Maryland

       As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues, many of the protesters involved aren't merely professionals marching for better pension plans, nor are they professors rallying for their unemployment benefits; rather, they are citizens of all ages, genders and backgrounds and are upset with the United State's current economic system. While the movement begins to gain prominence on a global scale, some Maryland students are joining in, and fighting for what they believe in.

      "Our political system here in the U.S., along with most of what we would consider the developed world, has been infected by the poison of corporatism," said University of Maryland government and politics sophomore Mo Farshneshani.

      As president and founder of the United Youth Movement, Farshneshani feels strongly about the Occupy movements, and is committed to increasing political and societal involvement among the youth.

      Farshneshani and others involved in the Occupy movements believe their key weapon is to maintain a consistent presence nationwide.

      Despite many activists' best efforts, there are many UMD students completely unaware of the Maryland Occupy efforts, as well as those on a national scale.

       Freshman letters and sciences major Cindy Rosales said only a couple of students knew about the Occupy movements.     

      "News of government activity at this stature is similar to an alarm clock: if you hear it louden and don't wake immediately, you become desensitized to the sound and sleep through the alarm, later waking up to realize that you've been asleep too long and missed your chance as lost opportunities are absolute," said Farshneshani.

       While this movement bears a resemblance to the ‘60s and ‘70s protests of the Vietnam War, the Occupy movement has picked up a momentum of its own. Twenty years ago, the media coverage of these demonstrations would not be anywhere near what it is now, said University of Maryland journalism professor Raymond McCaffrey.

         Professor McCaffrey is currently perusing his Ph. D in Journalism at the University of Maryland, and he believes today's coverage of Occupy Wall Street ╥show[s] how social movements can spread very quickly if people deem them worthy.╙

      "One of the reasons for an unknown outcome is due in part to the lack of eloquence and argument. When interviewed by major newspapers, there always seems to be a group mentality, rather than an individual-no creator," according to McCaffrey.

       "It is a tricky thing with protest movements. What we define as getting out of hand is civil disobedience. This may in fact be the goal of a protest movement," said McCaffrey.

      Despite many Maryland students' best effort to keep the momentum going, some wonder if the Occupy Wall Street movement has what it takes to become a political movement that asserts itself in electoral politics. However, it is clear that the fate of the Occupy will only be determined by time.