Occupy DC at Freedom Plaza Still Rockin' and Rollin'

Across the country Occupiers are entering the next phase of the movement by abandoning encampments and taking over foreclosed homes to bring attention to the housing crisis. But in our Nation's Capital the tent cities at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza are still standing strong. During a recent visit to Occupy DC at Freedom Plaza there was even a Jimi Hendrix cover band electrifying a small audience gathered near Pennsylvania Avenue.

It appears the populist movement is beginning to resonate with leaders as evidenced by President Obama channeling Theodore Roosevelt's New Nationalism in Kansas yesterday with a fiery speech about the growing inequality in America. Also yesterday a group calling itself "Take Back the Capitol" occupied the hallways and offices of Congress demanding that lawmakers extend unemployment benefits, end tax cuts for the wealthy and pass the American Jobs Act. The timing couldn't have been better as news came out that the "Do Nothing Congress" is aptly titled because this session of Congress has passed the fewest number of bills in at least 10 non-election years. And today there were plans to protest against corporate influence in politics by shutting down K Street -- a major boulevard in downtown Washington that is home to some of the biggest lobbying firms in the country and has become a symbol of special interest money corrupting the political system. Demonstrators were also planning to march on the White House and Supreme Court today as well.

Here is video of the band jammin' with Jimi.

Here are more photos from Freedom Plaza.

Photos: Occupy D.C.

Occupy D.C. is an offshoot of the larger Occupy Wall Street protest movement taking place in New York City. People are organizing in other cities across the country under the unofficial banner Occupy Together. The demonstrators are encamped at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington. Their literature says the participants are "citizens, professionals, students, activists, parents, unemployed workers, voters and the underrepresented who represent the 99%." They are interested in "separating money from politics and improving the country's infrastructure to fix healthcare, education, environment and the economy."

Is this a fad or the foundation of the left's own Tea Party movement? That question has yet to be answered. But right now there is something stirring in cities across the United States of America. And it can't be ignored. Here are photos of some of the signs and the atmosphere at McPherson Square in D.C. this past weekend.