Residents of Idyllwild have organized the first official "Occupy Idyllwild" event today in the center of town. The gathering will be at the Idyllwild Tree Monument and begins at 4:30 p.m.

A news release from organizers explained, "Just as the rest of Riverside County California has been hit hard by foreclosures, plummeting real estate values, and unemployment, the tiny picturesque mountain village of Idyllwild has not been spared. The local "Idyllwild HELP Center," serving the greater Idyllwild area says nearly 650 clients are in need of help with food pantry, utility bills, etc."

The group used social media to get the word out about the protest.

"If you are one of the 99 percent and/or care about our 'Once-Great Nation' and our children's future and want to act locally so your voice will be heard, then welcome home. Bring protest signs, drums, percussion instruments, costumes, face-painting your chanting voice 'This is what democracy looks like, this is what democracy sounds like,' etc., and 'We are the 99 percent,'" organizers wrote. "Our goal is to get at least 1 percent of the population of Idyllwild to turn out... Imagine if every town and city had at least 1 percent of the population participate in the 'Occupy' movement. We could help change the world!"

The group has created an event page using facebook here, as well as a facebook page.

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