RALEIGH — I am the 99 percent.

I went down to the Occupy Raleigh location at the NC Capitol today. The folks there were very pleasant and polite to visitors as well as passersby.

About 1:00 pm, the chief of the Capitol Police (separate from the Raleigh Police Department) came with other officers and a cameraman to inform the demonstrators that they were to move their paraphernalia from the sidewalks by 3:00 pm. The demonstration has been ongoing since October 15 when about 1,000 people rallied on the Capitol Square.

The chief was very polite, as were the demonstrators. Clearly though, the aim was to ride the weather forecast and make things less comfortable for those who maintain the demonstration 24 hours a day. They had set up office supplies, food, sleeping pads and blankets to weather the weather. While the officers said their purpose was to clear the sidewalk for pedestrians, many lunchtimers passed unimpeded while I was there. On occasion, they walked by three abreast without difficulty. The decision clearly appears more political than safety oriented.

There seems to have been some advancement of civilization over the years. Fifty years ago, the demonstrators marching for the rights of African Americans were told in strong terms to disperse by white law enforcement. Today, demonstrators were told to clear their materials by a black police chief. The thing that remains unchanged is that a suited lobbyist with cash for campaign coffers gets to have lunch with legislators, and a shabbier, poorer person trying to in

By the time I left town this afternoon (about 5:00 pm), the stacks of supplies had been removed from the sidewalk, and a second demonstration was taking place in front of the county jail/law enforcement tower.

I am the 99%. Chances are you are also, whether you choose to realize it or not.

Click here to see more photos.

UPDATED: Turns out that the demonstration migrated to the jail after the lady seated in photo  L1030411 was arrested because when could not stand to demonstrate. When she would not remove her chair, she and seven other demonstrators were arrested.