Reactions to Occupy Delaware

State Rep. Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) offers to pay permit fee for group if they leave when permit expires for the day.

But the State House Minority takes issue with what he sees as special treatment the group is getting from the state.  In a statement to WHYY, Lavelle says, “What they want, however, is to have a set of rules that apply only to them.  Do you really think the Governor would have “negotiated” with any of the Tea Party groups to determine how they would break the law?  No way.”

He says the group wants a confrontation with police so they can become victims.  “I drove past the federal building yesterday and saw 15 police officers standing around across the street from these people.  Great use of public safety resources and tax dollars,” Lavelle said.

Delaware’s Junior Senator Chris Coons on the other hand says the Occupy groups have reason to be upset.  “I think there are good reasons for Americans and Delawareans to be mad.”  Coons says many feel left out or feel like Washington isn’t paying attention to their plight.  He says one of the protest’s biggest contributions, “Is it’s brought into focus the significant inequality in income in this country, it’s at an all time high in the last 80 years.”

Coons says both sides of the political spectrum are frustrated with the way things are in Washington.  “Frankly whether it’s the tea part on the right or the Occupy Wall Street or Occupy Wilmington, folks who are out their demonstrating today, I think are part of why Congress has an all-time low approval rating and part of why there’s a very broad sense of disconnect, of anger, that’s legitimate.”