Occupy Brainerd demonstrators protest corporate greed, lack of jobs

It wasn’t an occupation, but Wednesday’s message from demonstrators in front of Brainerd City Hall was clear to corporations and politicians alike — stop the greed and create jobs.

For an hour and-a-half the crowd of more than 50 people, from teenagers to seniors, stood in the rain along the sidewalk outside city hall and held aloft placards and signs with slogans such as “We are the 99 % who are not millionaires”, “Union strong”, “Create jobs now”, “No is not a solution”, “Don’t destroy the American dream” and “Economic Justice”.

The demonstration, one of many happening this week across the country, was a show of unity for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Every few seconds, passing motorists on Laurel or South Fifth streets would honk their horns or give a thumbs up, eliciting cheers from some of the demonstrators. 

Josh Brewster of Brainerd was holding a sign that read “Tax the richest 2 percent.” He said he attended the demonstration because he wants a future for his children. Nothing, not even a little rain, was going to keep him away Wednesday, he said.