Occupy LA press release -- October 7th, Dr. Cornel West visited the Occupy Los Angeles encampment now referred to by occupiers as "tent city”. Dr. West is to return tonight at 5pm to speak to the occupiers. He will be accompanied by Tavis Smiley.

"1% of the population controls 42% of the wealth. Something is wrong in America." Dr. West says, explaining the growing gap in the economic structure.

As for why so many people are attracted to a movement such as this he says, "People are morally outraged at the feudal mentality. It's just not right that 42% of our precious children, children of all different colors are living near or below the poverty level."

“The strength of the 99% is that everyone is affected,” he continued, "We are all colors, cultures, religions -atheistic and agnostic- we are all classes, civilizations, we are all genders and sexual orientations. Why? Because we believe that justice is something bigger than every one of us."

Los Angeles Occupiers have many different voices and opinions, the most common is that they stand in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street group at Liberty Park and agree with them that corporate greed and corruption in politics must be stopped. The Los Angeles occupation officially began on October 1st after a week long of organizing and general assemblies. October 8th, 2011 marks the one week anniversary of the occupation, a festival is planned with music, workshops and teach-ins at the South Lawn of City Hall located at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles.