'Occupy Milwaukee' marchers told to be 'battle ready' after Oakland violence
MILWAUKEE - Another "Occupy Milwaukee" has been scheduled for Saturday in the city, and organizers have been told to be "battle ready" after recent violence at one recent "Occupy" rally.
Organizers have set the protest to begin at 12:00 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Park on Milwaukee's north side.
They have set the protest march to travel west to the former AO Smith/Tower Automotive site at Century City.
The company once employed thousands, and organizers look at the site as a symbol of Milwaukee's economic downturn.
"This building was once a cornerstone in this community, and it helped people get jobs. It helped people get livable wages, take care of their families," said organizer Khalil Coleman.
"They were a part of unions. They were able to have a self-sustaining economy."
Coleman said marchers should be "battle ready" after the violence at the "Occupy Oakland" rally.
The threat of violence worries business owners along the route.
"I am concerned," said Lamarvis Ware, the owner of a barber shop on the protest route.
"Hopefully, it will be smooth, and hopefully there won't be any problems or anything."
Yet, Coleman insisted that violence at past "Occupy" events wouldn't stop protesters from marching for what they believe.
"You know the whole world is watching, and it's not just happening in the United States of America. It's happening across the world."
The protests would go on despite the violence in Oakland which caused Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran from Wisconsin, to be critically injured.
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