By Michelle Bliss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-990114.mp3
Wilmington, NC – As "Occupy" movement protestors continue assembling across the globe, about 100 gathered in Wilmington, North Carolina for a demonstration on Saturday. WHQR's Michelle Bliss reports that the group lined a busy downtown corridor, sandwiched between Wells Fargo and Bank of America buildings, chanting to the beat of bongo drums as traffic bustled by.
Delthea Simmons joined the movement to speak out about predatory lending. Her mother was given a mortgage in her 70's while on a fixed income.
"Currently, I'm living in a foreclosed house, and it's a foreclosure that I don't think was fair. But, it was legal, and that's a problem. We've got laws that let unfair practices be legal."
25-year-old Sean Murphy is worried he'll lose his health insurance. He has a nerve disorder that causes stabbing pains across his face.
"From quote-unquote ObamaCare, I'm able to stay on my parents' insurance for the timebeing. And if I have to switch insurance, if that's also taken away, I would also lose the previous condition exception."
Despite their disparate reasons for being involved, many expressed their sense of solidarity with fellow protestors around the world.
This was Occupy Wilmington's first protest. Group members have been holding what they've coined "General Assembly" meetings and are still on the lookout for an actual location to occupy.
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