200 protesters brave storm to march against Wall Street business practices

SALT LAKE CITY — Braving rain and unseasonably cool temperatures, more than 200 protesters marched through downtown Salt Lake City Thursday as part of a national movement against economic inequality and the business practices of Wall Street.

OccupySLC began its march at the Utah Capitol and made its way through the city's financial district to Pioneer Park.

Standing under an umbrella at the steps of the Capitol with her husband Evan, Beverly Terry said she was frustrated with the influence corporations have exerted over the country's economy and the negative impact she believes that influence has had on jobs.

"We just need some justice and democracy in this country," she explained. "Corporations are taking over. Votes are being bought. Almost every job is turning into a corporate grab. Everything is just greed."

The 66-year old mother of three adult children said the economy has put her kids' livelihoods in peril, leaving two of them with no health insurance, one unemployed for two years and all with little hope for a prosperous future. She blamed her family's situation on the culture of increasing indifference about the plight of the common man by leaders in Washington, D.C.

"I'd like to see President Obama take charge and try to get Congress to move on jobs (legislation) and start acting like there are more people in this country than the wealthy," Terry said.

Protest organizer Skylar Hawk says they group plans to camp in Pioneer Park indefinitely and organize more demonstrations throughout downtown in the weeks to come. He said they hope to highlight the need to change political and financial systems that favor big business over individuals.

Salt Lake police spokesman Dennis McGowan said the protesters were orderly. Organizers said the group plans to stage only nonviolent demonstrations and maintain a peaceful occupation of the park.

Occupy Wall Street protests began Sept. 17 with demonstrators pitching tents outside the New York Stock Exchange. Similar events have spread across the country, including an "occupation" planned for St. George in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Salt Lake occupation included scores of people carrying signs and even a few wearing masks. Jamel Jarvis was one of several participants who wore masks similar to those worn in the movie "V for Vendetta."

In the film, a charismatic freedom fighter is driven to exact revenge on those who wronged him. He is pursued by a detective leading a quest to capture him before a revolution is ignited.