Protestors call on US president to streets

WASHINGTON - Agence France-Presse

Protesters crash into the lobby of the Victor Building in Washington DC late Nov 15. AFP photo

Dozens of protesters marched on the White House on Nov. 15 to invite an absent President Barack Obama to side with the “Occupy” movement, after police raids on camps in New York and other cities.

“We would like to welcome him to the movement,” chanted the crowd from “Occupy DC,” amplifying a statement from a young protester at the front of the procession.

Recalling that Occupy DC is situated in nearby McPherson Square, the marchers shouted: “We’re just down the street! Join us!”

Unlike New York and other major U.S. cities, Washington has been tolerant of not one, but two encampments that are home to protesters decrying social inequality and what they say is excessive corporate influence on politics.

Meanwhile, thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters marched on the University of California, Berkeley on Nov. 15 and defied police by trying to revive a camp hours after police shot a suspected gunman