Occupiers make stand

A group of about 25 people stood under overcast skies Saturday morning waving to passing motorists as they held high signs that read "Tax the Rich" and "Capitalism has Failed Us."

Occasionally, drivers would honk their horn in support. Others gave them a well-known derogatory gesture.

And the people — members and supporters of the Occupy Hernando rally held in the grassy area in front of the old Kmart building on U.S. 19 — drew plenty of onlookers, especially from the Hernando County Farmers Market going on at the same time several yards away.

One of those watchers was Eric Parresol, co-owner of the farmers market, who worried that the only thing these protesters would succeed in doing was drive away customers.

Many people would not stop to shop, he said, because they are intimidated when they see what looks like a political event so close to the fruit and vegetable stands and other vendor wares.

Parresol couldn't figure out why the Occupiers chose the U.S. 19 site when there were so many places in the county that typified corporate America, the target of their wrath.

"I'm all for what they're doing because they're for the small-business people," Parresol said as he kept watch from a nearby vendor tent. "But why wouldn't you protest in front of a bigger corporation?"

But Occupy Hernando co-organizer Joe Lemieux said the farmers market was the perfect location because it symbolized the plight of the working people who do what they can to make a living.

"They're providing jobs for people here," said Lemieux, who normally would be tending a vendor's stall but took the day off to take part in Saturday's rally. "Everybody here is part of the 99 percent."

The 1 percent, he said, is the corporate bigwigs and the super-rich.

A sheriff's deputy periodically came by to monitor proceedings but, at least during the morning, all was peaceful.

Rally member Terri Gilbert said Occupy Hernando represents the disappearing middle class, swallowed up by the federal government and the lobbyists.

"It's no longer government for the people," she said.

Her husband, Bill Gilbert, said the Occupier's message is not anti-capitalism, just anti-corruption.

"We're not Communists or anything like that," he said.

"Occupy" movements have sprung up throughout the nation, all modeled after the original Wall Street movement.

Jayne Arrington, watching from the sidelines, said the message has been somewhat muddied but the core concerns are the same: end economic inequality, stop corporate greed and give the working class a chance.

"The movement's about de-corporatizing America so that the little guy can own a home again or send their kids to college," Arrington said.

Brandon Glogower of Spring Hill watched as the Occupiers took strategic places along the busy roadway. Even though one of the protesters was his partner, Glogower did not think this small rally would move any local politicians to action.

"I don't like politics," Glogower said. "I'm anti-United States. There are too many regulations. I don't like taxes, zoning — it's just too much."

The government bureaucracy "has gotten out of hand," he said.

The event was an occasion for Linda Richards to bring along her 7-year-old Pomeranian named Monster, who lazed sleepily in a stroller adorned with a red, white and blue bonnet.

Monster tries to make all the rallies, Richards joked.

"I'm just frustrated," said Richards, who was laid off two-and-a-half years ago from a sprinkler installation company that went out of business.

Her husband's been out of work about the same amount of time, she said.

Richards said she was going to the farmers market anyway and decided to join the rally.

Co-organizer and civic activist Brian Moore said he hoped Saturday's rally, scheduled to last four hours, would raise the consciousness level of people "and radically alter the mindset of our political leaders, including our county commissioners.

"They either have to change or move aside," Moore said.

Many people shopping at the farmers market seemed oblivious to the rally going on in front of the road. Others took it in stride.

Phil Hauck of Spring Hill and his friend sat on the back of a pickup and watched the proceedings from a distance.

Hauck said the Occupy movement offers nothing new.

"Corporate greed has always been there and it's not going to go away," Hauck said, peering out at the sign-waving protesters. "I don't ever see it changing."

Bystander Kevin Conway of Brooksville wished the Occupiers good luck but doubted it would change minds.

"I think I agree with some of the ideas they're putting forth," Conway said. "But the bankers, insurance companies and politicians have us right where they want us.

"I don't know if a dozen people or 100 times a dozen people will help."

But, he added, events like this can't hurt.

"If it raises awareness, he said, "it's all to the good I guess."