Occupy Winnipeg still going on strong
Protesters are willing to tough it out through thick and thin
Occupy Winnipeg protestors will continue their demonstration even though the temperatures outside are hitting below zero.
The small band of protestors have set up tents in Memorial Park, the public space in front of the Manitoba Legislative Building, in demonstration against corporate greed. The group has been camping out since Oct. 15, and has no plans of stopping, even as winter looms closer.
Jonathon Barkley, permanent occupier and partial organizer, acknowledges that there isn’t a clear end-date or goal for the movement.
“We’re trying to get people to educate themselves, trying to give them a little piece of information that will spark their interest and maybe they’ll go out and go online, talk to some friends, and see for themselves,” Barkley said. “I think that once people know the information that a lot of us have seen, the changes will just happen. It will just come about.”
Barkley explained that the campsite is operating as a community collective, sharing food and responsibilities of maintaining the site.
Terry Weaymouth, who has been camping with the movement since Oct. 24, says he has personally felt the benefits of the movement, even if their goals seem unattainable to some.
“It encourages people to speak up for what they believe in,” Weaymouth explained. “Just the fact that I’m part of this, that I’m supporting this, that I’m not the only one out there that wants to see a better world and we can come together.”
