54°
Occupy Stamford organizers Sebastien Le Morrillon, left, and Steven Purdy met at the Philosophy Club at Norwalk Community College.
Photo Credit: Anthony Buzzeo
Steven Purdy doesn't mind if people who oppose the Occupy movement yell at him while he's protesting as long as he can get his message out.
Photo Credit: Anthony Buzzeo
STAMFORD, Conn. — The presence of two large international banks, UBS and RBS, inspired two Norwalk Community College students to take the Occupy movement to Stamford.
“The rage is going against where it belongs,” says Greenwich resident Steven Purdy.
“We’re looking to make the American Dream possible again,” adds his partner, Sebastien Le Morrillon of Westport.
The two have demonstrated in Veterans Park and Columbus Park several times recently, with Le Morrillon with a sign and Purdy in a Guy Fawkes mask. They have discussed issues in hopes a passerby would stop and join the conversation.
Whether those who stop agree with them or not, Purdy says it's important just having the opportunity to share their message. He says starting the conversation is the first step to finding solutions to problems.
The two have seen little police activity during their demonstrations, although during one protest they saw a police car park nearby and watch them for several minutes before leaving. The pair say that unlike protests that have provoked the police, theirs have been peaceful, and they have made sure they control their tempers.
Although they have demonstrated in Stamford three or four times, they have failed to gain many followers. The protests usually have included the two of them and a couple of friends. To attract more protesters and decide on a strategy for moving forward, they are trying to organize an open, democratic meeting with other Occupy organizers and supporters from the area. Until then, they have decided to hold off on more Stamford protests.
“We’re not leaders, we’re just trying to kick-start it,” Purdy said.
They have no date for the meeting or their next demonstration. To learn more and to keep up with Occupy Stamford, like its Facebook Page.
Steve & Sebastian: After reading what you've put up on OCCUPY STAMFORD thus far...and after our personal communications, Steve, I have to say that I am relieved that you've kept a congenial 'tone' on your FB site. I see that even if some of us may disagree philosophically/politically/etc., you guys really do want to maintain a 'civil discourse'. BRAVO! There's so much anger and 'me-ism' in the world today. Wouldn't it be great if we actually RISE above all that--at least locally here in Stamford? I know you, like myself, are observing other OCCUPY sites and FB pages near-by which are good 'learning experiences' for us at this time in history. I pray that all you do and all you say during your involvement with OCCUPY STAMFORD has nothing but a 'positive effect' on your futures, the Internet being the way it is. Take it from me, gentlemen: Once we 'put something out there', it's 'out there' for better or for worse and for good! God Bless You (yes, even if you don't believe : ) Rev. Barb