Where are the Hispanics at Occupy Philly?
Ariel Paz, a coordinator for the demonstration, could not say. He was sure he had seen some, but could not specify if there was a strong Hispanic presence.
“We’re trying to make a city here,” Paz said. “The point is not to think in terms of building, but to think in terms of people.”
Their ideal is to include everyone, even people who speak “crazy,” but Paz said he has not found the Hispanic influence in Center City.
“I haven’t seen any Hispanics here, but we want to spread the word,” Paz said. He asked which neighborhoods he could visit to reach out to a Hispanic population.
Others at Occupy Philly expressed that the Hispanic voice needs to be heard.
Victor Colón, a Hispanic camping out in Center City, said he has maybe seen eight Hispanics during his entire stay at Occupy Philly. He said he thinks that the majority of people there are homeless. He emphasized Philadelphia’s 4,000 count of homeless people and the limited number of homeless shelters.
“I lost my job a month and a half ago,” Colón said. The company he worked for recently sold 60 percent of their shares and employees started losing their jobs.
Colón said he is concerned and disappointed with the lack of Hispanic presence among the demonstrators.
“I don’t know why there aren’t more of us [Hispanics] here,” Colón said. “We really need more support.”
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