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Protesters Occupy Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- The "Occupy movement" gains traction nationwide fighting for jobs and what they call the 98 percent of Americans.

Meghan McCorkell has the latest on the demonstrations in Baltimore.

Many of the protesters have been at the Inner Harbor for days. They say they'll stay until their message is heard.

"Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!" said one.

Making their voices heard, dozens are occupying Baltimore. They say they're representing 98 percent of Americans.

"It doesn't matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat," demonstrator Deborah Elliott from Brooklyn, Md. said. "It matters if you care about your country. I want the middle class to stay here."

Rose Zaeske brought her children out for a real-life civics lesson.

"It's about reclaiming the country for the average person and not just for the wealthy person," she said.

Occupy Baltimore is part of a national movement that has spread across the country.

It started three weeks ago in New York City. Protesters clashed with police trying to get closer to Wall Street.

In Los Angeles, hundreds of people, including labor union members and activists, flooded the financial district with signs.

And in Chicago, demonstrators gathered outside the Federal Reserve Bank and Bank of America warning financial leaders a change is coming.

Even President Barack Obama commented on the movement.

"I think it expresses the frustrations the American people feel," he said.

Protesters here in Maryland are glad Washington is listening.

"It's gone beyond just a Walt Street thing. I mean, there's hope for the world," Donna Plamondon, a demonstrator, said.

And they'll keep raising their voices until that hope turns into change.

The Occupy Together movement has spread to more than 500 cities worldwide.

The protests in Baltimore have been peaceful. Police have not made any arrests.

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