Occupy the Super Bowl

By Patrick Welter–2/4/2012
It’s all about the unions for Occupy Indianapolis.
“Occupy is here at the Super Bowl more in support of the unions than to support any sort of Occupy agenda,” said Emily Dillon, who has been involved in Occupy since it began in October.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has said publicly that its presence here at Super Bowl XLVI will be purely “informational.”
Dillon said the occupiers would be “inclined to respect whatever their wishes would be because they are acting in solidarity with [the unions].”
Wednesday, Indiana became the 23rd state to pass right-to-work regulations. The new law allows non-union members to opt out of paying fees for representation. Indiana is the first state in over ten years to pass the legislation.
This week protesters marched in front of the Capitol building to show their dissatisfaction with the bill. Protests also occurred at the Super Bowl village downtown. According to Sergeant Noel Houze of the Indiana State Police, no one had been arrested. However, he said visting families were not pleased with the demonstrators.
Indianapolis and state police units are prepared to maintain order at the Super Bowl on Sunday. “It’s a balance between the protesters who have a right to be there and the people who are against the protesters,” said Houze. “If there is unlawful activity, then we will take action.”