WASHINGTON — About 1,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the Capitol Tuesday as part of the Occupy movement to protest “corporate personhood,” as defined by the Supreme Court, and congressional inefficiency.
People from across the country traveled to the West Lawn of the Capitol with banners and signs protesting Congress’ record and citing its low approval rating. Throughout the day, members of the movement chanted slogans and sang songs in a light rain under the watch of Capitol Police.
Common themes from the Occupy movement echoed on the Capitol lawn. The protesters referred to themselves as “the 99 percent” and celebrated their strength in numbers against the relatively small population of Congress. Many in the demonstration criticized Congress for close ties with lobbyists.
Protesters are seeking to talk directly to their lawmakers on a variety of issues, including the Stop Online Piracy Act, the Protect IP Act and the Supreme Court 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which gave more leeway to corporations and labor unions in making campaign contributions. Several people at the rally said their movement will continue protesting in Washington through the spring.
