"Take Back The Capitol" Wraps Up Weeklong Protest

By Janie Amaya

After a week of demonstrations, “Take Back The Capitol” participants said they are ready to continue their protests as they head back to their home states.  

As the break-down process of the “People’s Camp” began Friday on the National Mall demonstrators said they feel confident the event served its purpose.
 
“The event was fabulous. It was so cool to meet all different people from all different places with the same goals,” Audie Schmidt, a participant from Iowa, said. “It doesn’t end here.”

The nearly 3,000 protestors in attendance visited 99 congressional offices this week, including six Democratic offices. However, several said they were unsuccessful in actually talking to the congressional leaders.  

“I think some of it was the message. Some of it was schedules, of course. I think the message. I think there was an unwillingness to meet with us,” Schmidt said.

On Thursday, protesters greeted House Speaker John Boehner ( R-Ohio) at his beltway home at 6:45 a.m. in an attempt to deliver their message of working for the people rather than banks.  

K-Street lobby firms we’re also visited during the week of protests. According to event organizers, the protestors tired to push their message through lobbyists, saying the lobby-firm influence on the Hill is greater than the average American’s.

OurDC organizers said “Take Back The Capitol” is not the end of the discussion and will continue to keep the message alive.