This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 19, 2011 - Occupy St. Louis is inviting baseball fans without a World Series ticket to watch tonight's opening game, commercial-free, on a big screen at its campsite in Kiener Plaza. The Facebook notice doesn't say who is providing the big screen and equipment -- and whether they are part of the 99 percent.
Derek Wetherell, one of the Occupy activists, said the group was using a donated projector which will display what's shown on television onto a large white tarp. The setup has previously been used to air movies and documentaries, Wetherell said.
Via Facebook discussions this week, local activists have nixed the idea of doing anything disruptive in or near Busch Stadium, and instead are passing out fliers to game-goers.
Occupy St. Louis is holding a 5:30 p.m. rally today, dubbed the "Occupy the World (Series) Rally," and presumably to distribute fliers.
The group plans to begin airing the game on the big screen at 7 p.m. In place of commercials, the screen will "stream (Occupy's) message against economic inequality," the Facebook announcement says.
"Can't afford a ticket to the World Series? Of course you can't! Come watch the game with the 99%! Show the world that there isn't a need for corporate sponsors to enjoy baseball!"
Meanwhile, the Missouri chapter of the Sierra Club announced today that it endorses the Occupy movement and its focus on economic inequality.
"The Occupy Wall Street protests demonstrate the struggles of working families and environmentalists are one and the same," said state Sierra Club chairman Jim Turner in a statement." ... The Sierra Club Missouri Chapter also supports peaceful protest and demonstration as among the highest forms of citizen engagement in our democracy -- it is our right. We stand with the Occupy Wall Street movement against corporate greed and for a more equitable, clean and healthy America."
