'Occupy' Movement Spreads To Tulsa

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The "occupy" movement has spread around the world, including right here in Tulsa. People here who support the social change demanded by the protest - say they'll keep on marching.

Saturday's march through downtown Tulsa was to support the Occupy Wall Street protest and unite the Tulsans who feel like they're part of it.

10/15/2011 Related Story: Occupy Tulsa Protesters Take To The Streets Saturday Afternoon

"Why Tulsa? Because this is our home and this is a nationwide problem and the solutions won't end on Wall Street," said Occupy Tulsa activist.

Several hundred people were part of the Occupy Tulsa march. Kendra Zoellner says it's a small start to a movement she believes will be long lasting.

"I just know that people don't feel like they're represented anymore and there's going to have to be some really big changes for this movement to stop," Zoellner said.

Zoellner and her friends made up signs for the march - but she says all of the complaints and demands could be boiled down to people wanting more say in what happens.

"People are just standing up because they want a democracy again and they don't feel like they have it anymore," she said.

Occupy Tulsa - and smaller groups like Occupy TU - have latched on the national interest in Occupy Wall Street. They do not intend to set up camp downtown, but plan to have regular gatherings to stay united.

"And we want change and I don't think there's going to be a simple solution," Zoellner said.

Zoellner is a social worker. She believes is the Occupy movement is putting into practice what she's been thinking.

"I feel like ethically, this is what I need to do. It's who I am and what I believe so I will do that. Professionally it's absolutely what I believe in," Zoellner said.

The occupy Tulsa group has another meeting this coming Saturday to plan their next move. They're organizing on Facebook, just like the national effort that started a month ago, Monday.