‘Occupy Santa Fe’s’ peaceful method

“Occupy Santa Fe” protest have had no violence, and no fights with city officials or police. A lot of the protesters in Santa Fe aren’t college kids. Protesters there have lived through the Vietnam protests and say this time they changed their approach to win the minds of the public.   All over the country, there has been arrests related to the ‘Occupy Movement,’ even in Albuquerque.

But it’s a different story in Santa Fe. There haven’t been any arrests or any problems with Santa Fe Police since the protesting began over a month ago.

The Occupiers still wave signs, chant and march around big banks to fight corporate greed but they’re keeping the peace. Many of them know what it’s like to try a different approach.

“A lot of us came from the sixties and it wasn’t always so peaceful but we think this is the way to go,” said protester Dennis Cormier.

Cormier and the other protesters have worked with city government and local police to ensure the safety of their group and those around them. They believe a safe environment can make the movement last longer. An important strategy because the Occupiers want to stick around until at least next year’s presidential election.

“Our security folks that we have that we consensed (sic) on being security are very, very good at getting riff raff out of here with nonviolent methods,” said protester Cary Johnson.

In their home camp at Railyard Park, they kick out drunks, and keep things clean.

Decades after the sixties, the veteran protesters have their second chance at sending a message and they want to do it right.

“Five weeks ago, something happened that i’ve been waiting 40 or 50 years for,” said Cormier.