Grannies in Black Bandanas Spread Occupy Movement Message on the Streets of Palo Alto

Inspired by the brave demonstrators in Oakland, California, members of the Raging Grannies Action League tied black bandanas around their faces and walked the streets of Palo Alto, a city across the San Francisco Bay.

They talked to passersby and posed for photos outside Chase Bank and Bank of America. Cars honked and their occupants waved when they saw the Grannies, recognizable by their hats and aprons. One Granny carried a sign reading "We are the 99%--Hear Us Roar".

An Iraq war veteran remains in critical condition with head wounds and brain swelling after being injured in Tuesday's Occupy Oakland police raid. He was hit in the head with a police projectile during the protest in downtown Oakland.

"We are outraged that a veteran who has served in Iraq and survived comes back home just to be injured by the police," said one of the Grannies. "He was expressing himself to make this country better." Like the Grannies, the injured vet is said to be passionate about social justice causes.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread to every major American city and many smaller ones as well. Palo Alto has seen several actions, including one outside a large Bank of America branch attended by several hundred people.

Lytton Plaza, in downtown Palo Alto, is one of the Grannies regular protesting locations. Raging Granny Shirley Powers said that the recent remodel of the plaza was designed to discourage skateboarders, homeless persons, and demonstrators from utilizing the plaza. Granny Ruth said that "Business wants to take over everything, even public spaces. It's high time everyone joined the Occupy movement. Corporations must be stopped."