Occupy Gilroy Protest Set for Friday

Inspired by the larger Occupy Movement currently taking place across the country, Domingo Payne, member, and Christopher High School senior Tomas Hernandez are organizing one of their own.

is set to hit town Friday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m. at in Gilroy.

Gilroy's demonstration will be held the day after the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which began September 17 and has spread to over 100 cities nationally, and over 1,500 globally, according the Occupy Wall Street website.

However, Gilroy's protest won't be a physical occupation of the park, instead the park will simply serve as a platform to discuss any concerns that directly impact the future of the Gilroy community, Domingo stated in an email.

Domingo also stated that the movement is horizontal in structure, with no one person being designated as the leader. Decisions will be made by consensus, instead of by one person.

"The Occupy Gilroy movement is a group of concerned citizens gathering [to] exercise their First Amendment rights. We want people to know, first of all, that our event is horizontal in structure, and there is no leader per se," Domingo wrote in a prepared statement.

"We also want people to know that it will be a peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights, and everyone is welcome to demonstrate peacefully. Finally, we would like people to know that we are focusing on four key points, though others may arise."

The four key points Occupy Gilroy will focus on are:

1. There should be a constitutional amendment that disallows a corporation to be defined as a person.
2. There should be taxation reform so that all income brackets are taxed fairly.
3. There should be affordable college education so that we ensure the future of our children.
4. Banks should be more regulated with laws such as The Glass-Steagall Act.

Domingo said the event will be held rain or shine, and encourages attendees to bring candles or flashlights. Domingo said he also encourages attendees to bring cameras in order to keep the intentions of the movement as transparent as possible.

Monetary donations will not be accepted, but donations of umbrellas, ponchos, flashlights, candles, water, and snacks are welcome.

Updates about the event can be found on the Occupy Gilroy Facebook page.

What: Occupy Gilroy First Assembly
When: November 18, 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: Miller Park, 7851 Carmel St., Gilroy