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Occupy Hartford Seeks To Mobilize University Students With March, Rally

By JENNA CARLESSO

October 25, 2011

HARTFORD —— Hoping to mobilize support in colleges and universities, the Occupy Hartford protesters have organized a student "walkout" and rally at the Capitol Thursday.

The students are expected to walk out of class at 2 p.m. and meet with the Occupy Hartford protesters at the corner of Farmington Avenue and Broad Street at the sliver of land they're calling Turning Point Park at 3 p.m.

A march through the downtown will follow, punctuated by a rally at the Capitol.

"We're looking to get the attention of the legislature and the governor," said Paul Talbot, who has been involved with the Occupy movement and created the Facebook group "Student Walkout, Rally and Protest — Occupy Hartford."

Issues that may arise at the protest include tuition increases, student debt and the lack of jobs available for college graduates, people involved said.

Occupy Hartford members have sent invitations to several colleges and universities, and say they have received interest from students at the University of Hartford, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut, Talbot said.

"Every campus has its own internal monologue of issues," Talbot said. "Students have their own grievances, and whatever grievances they have will further come out on Thursday."

Students, faculty and others involved will march from Turning Point Park to city hall, where they will pause briefly and then continue on to the Capitol.

For more information, go to occupyhartfordct.com.