30 seconds with Shaun Hughes

Shaun Hughes

Surveyor, Cajun Constructors; activist, Occupy Baton Rouge

Forty-year-old retired U.S. Marine Shaun Hughes began researching the Occupy movement after reading about a police officer fracturing the skull of a protesting Marine at Occupy Oakland. “That made me feel motivated,” he says.

You have a good job, so why be an occupier?

As a military veteran, I feel like I continue to serve my country through Occupy. It’s not about doing poor financially, because that’s not the case for me. It’s about right and wrong and rich corporations having a louder voice politically than poor people. Money has infested politics, and that creates problems.

What would you say to a lobbyist?

That it is pretty much a traitorous act. Unfortunately they’ll never be prosecuted.

Ever speak to one?

Not privately, but some lobbyists acknowledged our presence last time we rallied on the Capitol steps with Occupy groups from Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette.

Personally, what legislation would best support your vision for a more representative government?

Removing corporate personhood. It would take a constitutional amendment. It’s a monumental goal.

How is morale within Occupy Baton Rouge, and does media coverage affect it?

I’ve been disappointed with some of our turnouts but ecstatic with others. It’s disappointing when mass media tries to stereotype occupiers as low-lifes and the dregs of society. Anytime you have thousands gathered, there will be some bad apples, but there are hundreds of Occupy groups across the country, and by and large we are trying to peacefully voice our concerns.

Is there anything that would make you quit the Occupy movement?

If Occupy groups became satisfied with something like a minor tax reform. That would kill it for me.

Do you believe the changes Occupy wants are achievable with the current two-party system?

Florida Rep. Ted Deutch introduced a bill last fall to outlaw corporate money in politics, and he’s a Democrat, so I’m hopeful there can be change with the current system in place.