To the Editor,
For the past few weeks I have been trying to figure out what “Occupy Wall Street” means for me and our community. I have wondered what an “Occupy Port Alberni” movement would look like.
The answers I’m coming up with keep changing, probably because this is a very challenging issue.
Each of us has our own concerns about the problems we see in the world today. “Occupying Port Alberni” will mean something different for each of us. And no doubt our concept of “Occupying” will keep changing as long as we continue to ask the question.
One of the best answers I have encountered came to me from a university student. (How appropriate, since it was young people that started the movement in New York) She said “you do what you can, every day”.
So this afternoon, while I was enjoying a little bit of unexpected sunshine and tending my garden box of lettuce, I was aware that I was “Occupying Port Alberni”.
And when I was shopping for vegetables “picked this morning” at the Farmer’s Market, and when I ride my bike to work, and when I drink Fair Trade coffee, and when I struggle with the concept of “ethical investing”, and when I write a letter to the editor, and when I discuss these things with my wife and friends, and when I start preparing to vote in the civic elections, I know that I’m taking action to “Occupy” our community.
John Mayba,
Port Alberni