Five Protesters, Five Questions
Who is in Zuccoti Park, and why? Here are excerpts from the second in our series of interviews with the protesters.
Stacey Hessler, 38, DeLand, Florida
When did you get here?
This is day ten for me.
How’s work?
I am a beekeeper, a midwife’s assistant, and I play roller derby—and I’m a mom. I home school my kids. I have enough support.
There’s been a lot of talk of demands. What’s yours?
I want the government to listen to the people instead of the corporations.
How is President Obama doing?
I worked really hard to elect him and I think he’s just like every other politician—no change, no hope. I don’t trust anyone anymore. I might elect him again depending on who the other candidate is.
How long are you planning to stay?
I’m going to stay until this ends.
James Glover, 21, the Bronx
When did you get here?
It’s hard for me because I’m a college student. I just got here today.
How’s work?
[As a pre-med student], I don’t think the government will hurt the health aspect of America, but business is going down.
There’s been a lot of talk of demands. What’s yours?
No more taxes on the lower class. That’s all.
How is President Obama doing?
I actually think he’s doing a decent job. He’s building for the future. If they don’t give him a second term, I think America’s going to Hell.
How long are you planning to stay?
As long as I have to—as long as I don’t have classes.
Gary Phaneuf, 55, Staten Island
When did you get here?
I got here on day six. I own a house on Staten Island and I’m trying to figure out whether I should invite everybody over [for the winter].
How’s work?
Right now I’m working in the shadow economy as a souvenir vendor. It’s rough. I have to risk getting arrested but my last unemployment ran out two years ago.
There’s been a lot of talk of demands. What’s yours?
I’m trying to cut through the China bashing. Wall Street needs to be put in check. We shouldn’t get diluted on other things—a sharp focus on banks.
How is President Obama doing?
I think Obama went through a radical phase but by the time he met Michelle he decided to settle down. I’m scared what I’m hearing from the Tea Party and Rush Limbaugh, they’re creating an environment where he could be shot.
How long are you planning to stay?
Oh gee whiz, until Hell freezes over. This is the most exciting thing in my lifetime politically.
Toby Stewart, 34, from Colorado
When did you get here?
This will be day fifteen.
How’s work?
I’m not working at the moment. I decided I was going to disconnect from the broken system. I was miserable: underpaid, underinsured, the whole shebang.
There’s been a lot of talk of demands. What’s yours?
The protest isn’t just to have a demand, it’s to raise awareness that there’s so much wrong. It’s somewhat of a skill to stay cordial with each other in a disagreement. If you want a demand, that would be one of them.
How is President Obama doing?
Obama’s locked into a system of corruption. If he wanted to step in and do the good things he wanted to do, he wouldn’t be reëlected.
How long are you planning to stay?
I’m going to stay as long as I feel it’s making a difference.
Rosita Libre de Maralanda, 66, Brooklyn
When did you get here?
This is my third visit and I’m already involved with a Spanish working group.
How’s work?
My school, Norman Thomas, is closing. It means the staff have to apply for our jobs again in the system or get out. I want to stay.
There’s been a lot of talk of demands. What’s yours?
Health coverage should not be tied to a relationship because it could be a toxic relationship. It will lock you in.
How is President Obama doing?
I’m totally disappointed.
How long are you planning to stay?
As long as it’s here, I’m going to be here two to three times a week. If my health permitted, I would do more often.
Photographs by Ian Duncan
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