View of OWS from Lehman

Lehman College students have put their two cents in about the massive Occupy Wall Street protests that have taken place in New York and are now spreading globally:

Scott Davis, a 20-year-old Lehman freshman says people have the right to speak out whether people agree with them or not.

“You know, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly,” says Davis. “I don’t think it’s right that they take that away from us.”

Fermina Alcantara, 29, is a sophomore who wholeheartedly supports the growing demonstrations.

“I think it’s awesome that it’s gone global because it’s trying to tackle a global issue,” Alcantara says. “The root of the problem is not exclusive to the U.S. and the solution is linked with what happens on an economic global scale.” She adds, “At the end of the day, it’s about sustainability and accountability both locally and globally.”

Nancy Rollerson, a Lehman undergraduate, is not so optimistic it will make a difference. “I don’t know if the protest will be that effective,” she says. “Looking at the patterns of protests, they don’t get what they want.”

Some remain oblivious of the international events over economic disparities.

Twenty-four year old Luz Rincon, a Spanish major, says, “I haven’t even heard about it. I don’t watch the news. Lately, all news coverage has been about bad things happening.”

Latoria, Irvis, 23, a senior sociology major, has been paying attention but is pessimistic about the outcome. “Because older people are scared of younger, educate people taking their jobs, the outlook on jobs will not change despite the Occupy Wall Street protests,” she says.

But for Jonathan Diaz, a 22-year-old senior, cites a major reason why the demonstrations and rallies are successful and going nationally and globally: social media. “These social media sites have such an effect on today’s society,” Diaz says. “No wonder the word about what’s happening with the Wall Street protestors is spreading.”

Reported by Phineas Azcuy, Kristine Beckford, Laura Guerrero, Alison Greaney and Lennin Reyes