Occupy Austin continues despite rain

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Occupy Austin took over city hall for the third day straight Saturday.

Although rain clobbered a crowd of a couple hundred, many stayed and held handmade signs that took shots at corporate greed and the income disparity in America .

Andrea Simpson-Jones was a newcomer along with her college-aged daughter.

"I have a home that was built for me by Habitat for Humanity and they build houses for people who are low income," Simpson-Jones explained.  "Normally Habitat for Humanity  would handle their own mortgages, but they must have had too many and so they began to outsource their mortgages."

Simpson-Jones is a veteran and living on disability. A few days ago, she received a letter from Bank of America, which currently handles her mortgage, that stated her mortgage payments are going from $393 to $776.

"I don't understand it and I can't afford it,"  she said while holding a blown up version of the notice she received.

Simpson-Jones is currently in school and does not know how she will come up with the additional money each month.

"People are reading my sign and understanding this is not just a bunch of crazy people out her," she said crying.

There are other protestors who have been out at city hall for the past three days .

Many have sleeping bags and pillows and plan to stay out indefinitely.

"Even though I field bankruptcy, I still have student loans and I am sure it is like that for a lot of people," said Michelle Serrano, 27.  "A lot of people in their twenties and thirties are in so much debt."

Serrano told KXAN she will participate in the protest when she can.

"I will keep coming when I can.  I am lucky enough to have a full-time job unlike some people. I do plan on coming out here on Fridays and Saturdays," Serrano added.

Jonathon Marano is staying almost around the clock.

"I was out here from two until five in the morning," explained Marano.  "I went home, slept and came back out at noon."

Ralliers are being met with hecklers.

Some people are driving by yelling at people holding signs and telling them to get jobs. Others are making profane signs.

"I feel sad for them," Serrano added.

Police did not have to intervene but KXAN is aware of one arrest that occurred Friday.

The person arrested is facing a public intoxication charge.