99% Protesters Take To Columbus' East Broad Street

Protestors in Columbus helped mark the 2nd month of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations around the country Thursday afternoon. More than a hundred people gathered on an Interstate overpass on East Broad Street to demonstrate their views. A crowd of about 50 marchers left the First Congregational Church on East Broad Street just before rush hour. “We are the 99 percent!â€? The demonstration was organized by the political group Progress Ohio. The group has declared an economic emergency for the 99 percent of Americans who they say do not belong to the wealthy one percent. “There are proposals to create jobs out there; they just aren’t getting passed by this Congress.â€? Bret Thompson, policy director for Progress Ohio, called on Congress to put people back to work. “Really there’s been no action in Congress on the jobs bill,â€? Thompson says. “There’s been several proposals to create jobs and infrastructure in the state, we just haven’t seen any results and there are a lot of people who could do this work and want to earn their living. And we want to make sure that Congress knows and Senator Rob Portman, he’s voted against these measures, know that there’s a lot of people that want jobs and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.â€? Marcher John Reat says he’s been unemployed for 23 months. “I just don’t think it’s right; I think that the country needs to do something … if we don’t do anything the gap’s only going to get wider between the rich and the poor. And I don’t think that’s a good prescription for the United States’ future,â€? Reat says. Once marchers got to the bridge, they were met by dozens of other demonstrators voicing other concerns. “You know these banks? It’s a bunch of crap. I can’t stand it anymore.â€? Jennie Horbol railed against bank foreclosures, big government and the Federal Reserve. “I would like the banks to quit foreclosing on people’s homes in the middle of winter and I want to see less government,â€? Horbol says. “And end the Fed!â€?