North of Boston, grass-roots Occupy chapters have sprouted in Somerville, Malden, Salem, Lowell, and Woburn, and on Cape Ann.
There is no one face to the movement. While Ritchie, of Salem, is 78, others are in their teens. In Lowell, an Occupy group is forming at the high school. There is no easy way to profile each chapter: Some members have spent years as activists, and went to Boston and New York to bring food and clothing to Occupy camps. Others, like Ritchie, said dissatisfaction with the disparity of wealth in this country pushed them to pick up their first protest signs.
The suburban groups haven’t pitched any tents or occupied any territory. Their focus remains on economic inequality in the United States. They have blended national issues - such as unemployment, homelessness, and high corporate earnings - with local concerns, which range from protesting the proposed MBTA fare hikes to keeping a hospital in business in Gloucester.
People drawn to these Occupy groups said the movement should not be restricted to big cities since core issues - such as the economy, unemployment, and the need for political reform - exist everywhere.
“We need to build a mass movement in order to change things,’’ said Rob Talbot, who regularly holds an Occupy Salem sign in downtown Salem on weekends. “People in the suburbs are realizing that they have to be involved, too. Right now, the corporate influence over politics is extreme and human needs are not being met, and they won’t be until the people stand up together and say we need a change of course.’’
Miles from Dewey Square, where Occupy Boston set down tents this fall that some have vowed to repitch on April 1, suburban organizers say the movement is tailored to each community’s pace and priorities. Each Occupy chapter follows the basic ground rules established during the fall at New York’s Occupy Wall Street. Agendas are set during general assemblies, held within each Occupy chapter. There are no leaders; meetings are led by facilitators and decisions are reached by a group consensus.
