"Occupy Emmaus" Occupies Emmaus Triangle

A group of Emmaus residents took a stand against large corporations and Wall Street today as they joined the many other "Occupy" groups across the nation.

Partnering with "Occupy Allentown," Emmaus resident Chris Marksberry, one of the leaders of the group, said he and his friends are "Pretty much fighting corporate greed, supporting Wall Street (protestors), and of course supporting Occupy Allentown. Pretty much the same thing everyone else is doing."

Marksberry said they have been planning the local protest for about a week, although he was somewhat disappointed with the turnout. At 3 p.m. 6 protestors stood at the east end of , but by 4 p.m. the numbers had grown to more than a dozen.

"We're planning to stay here through the parade. We're going to stay here overnight. We're going to stay here as long as we can and pretty much do our thing 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week."

He said they're expecting at least 20 more people. Occupy Allentown is planning to come out to show their support.

A Facebook event was created by Marksberry to tell others about the protest. "It's open to discussion. Anyone who wants to post anything can," he said.

He explained that some of the protestors are employed, some aren't. "We're all here for the same cause," he explained.

Jason George, owner of on Chestnut Street posted a comment on the Facebook event's wall.

"Remember, this is not about pushing a specific political standpoint, it is about discussion between all of us. This is not an 'us' vs. 'them,' this is everyone working together to make life better."

Despite looming thunderstorms and possible tornadoes, Marksberry said, "Let 'em come. I'll stay here."