In 1962, John F. Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

The occupation protests of Wall Street, Monument Square in Portland, Capitol Park in Augusta and other locations around the country are examples of those peaceful revolutions in support of democracy and an economy that enables everyone to earn a decent living.

Those camping out, mostly young, are onto something good for our country. We need to listen and learn.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, bank executives, wealthy individuals and other elected officials who fear this democratic movement are trying to use police raids and arrests to stop this move toward democracy, just as dictators did in Egypt, Tunisia and other parts of the Middle East during Arab Spring.

If these happen, state and local politicians and their wealthy supporters will make these peaceful revolutions impossible. It will be their fault, and not the occupiers, if there is any violence.

I urge all Maine people who believe in and want democracy and a fair and just economy in this state to support and join these occupations.

Larry Dansinger

Monroe