Film-School Students Try to Start 'Occupy USC' Movement on Campus

By Simone Wilson Tue., Oct. 4 2011 at 3:00 PM

Matthew Wunderlich via the Daily Trojan

Sticking it to the mascot.

Online USC paper Neon Tommy isn't without a tinge of sarcasm today when it blogs of one student and his "solitary vigil" for Occupy USC:

When asked if he was attempting to encourage others to join him in his protest, he responded, "I'm not telling people to come here, but if people, any friends or anyone decides that they think that it's right then anyone's welcome."

And a piggybacking Los Angeles Times blogger gets a little snicker in as well, with the headline "Lone protester launches Occupy USC vigil." But the trusty Daily Trojan reveals the truth: Occupy USC has a second man on board!

(Thank god for that. Kind of hard to practice the Occupy movement's strict call-and-response guidelines with no one to do the "response" part.)

According to the Trojan, both the participants are "sophomores majoring in cinematic arts, film and television production." The guy in Neon Tommy's "solitary" photos is listed on Facebook as Alex Zelenty, though all the papers identify him as Alex Zenelenty (sketch!), and his lesser-known partner in rebellion is Will Ilgen. (FYI: They're also Facebook friends, and "like" cool things such as Tom Waits and "Fight Club.")

Instead of occupying a Wall Street or a City Hall, though, these guys have chosen to sit stubbornly at the feet of their campus' iconic Tommy Trojan statue. We're not really sure what the symbolism is there, so we'll move on to their superior hobo signs:

Alex: "I DON'T BELIEVE IN MATERIALISM."

Will: "PEACEFUL PROTESTERS SHOULD NOT BE MACED."

There you have it. Two empowered students, bringing down the nation's fat cats without ever having to leave the quad. Really though: We think you guys are awesome. This whole Occupy thing has been crapped on by media critics for being unfocused, but that's also what gives it its energy, and its reach -- from the bronze bull to the bronze ancient warrior dude, FTW.

Keep at it, guys. But yeah, mostly just Alex (see photos, below). May we suggest getting some unions on board?

Katherine Cresto via Neon Tommy via Flickr

Occupy USC by day.

Katherine Cresto via Neon Tommy via Flickr

Occupy USC by night.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

Tags:

Alex Zelenty, Occupy L.A., Occupy USC, Occupy Wall Street, protesters, Tommy Trojan, USC

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I'm gonna print this out and stick on my room What a valuable post.Thank you very much.

BOmom

Good for you, Alex & Will...at least you're learning something ;) Interesting that they're both studying cinematic arts, wonder if they can pull someone from poli-sci, intl biz or philosophy. Well, keep at it, kid.

WOLFBITCH

You go boys! Ignore the LA cynicism, they'll come around as soon as more folks join ya! Dear Hipsters: anything you call style or culture originated from some radical somewhere, so don't stick your nose up at em. Snobbery in regards to politicization is really only fear.

We are the 99%

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win. - Gandhi

Mike Jonesian

Unprofessional reporting. Professional reporting would not be so condescending. Besides, I am certain the reporter must fall within the 99% whose diminished voice these students are protesting for, so a little respect or appreciation would be an expected reaction.