By Emily Le Coz, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo

Dec. 01–TUPELO — A small version of the Occupy Wall Street movement that has been sweeping the globe this fall arrived in Tupelo on Wednesday.

Ten protesters gathered outside Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office on West Main Street holding up signs proclaiming, “We are the 99 percent,” and “Liberty and justice for all.”

Led by Bob Spencer, a lay minister at the Tupelo Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, the group called itself Occupy Tupelo. And members said they’re sick of politics as usual and want Congress to represent the average person instead of the rich.

“I’d like to see our government stop lining its pockets and looking out for special interests,” said protester Rebecca Reid of Nettleton.

Another protester, Casey Spradlin of Mantachie, said he thinks corporations have taken over the government with politicians as their willing accomplices. He displayed a sign that read, “I couldn’t afford a politician, so I bought this sign.”

Protesters stood outside from during the early evening rush hour traffic as passing motorists stared at them. Some drivers honked and waved.

Wicker was not at his office at the time of the protest, but in a statement to the Daily Journal he said, “Freedom of speech is an important part of our democracy, and I always appreciate hearing from constituents.”

The Occupy Tupelo movement will hold another protest outside the East Main Street office of U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss., on Dec. 17.

It will be the second attempt to have a gathering there. The first try last month was broken up because the group failed to obtain a demonstration permit, Spencer said.

emily.lecoz@journalinc.com

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