De Anza College students have prepared to occupy the campus during winter quarter following a decision passed Nov. 16 during the Occupy De Anza group’s first general assembly in the main quad.

De Anza President Brian Murphy stopped by the assembly before it began to remind the group of their job and their power to impact the greater student body. 

 “These budget cuts are unacceptable,” said Murphy. “The entire school administration is in support of the students and we are doing what we can to make sure that the students are able to be heard.”

The general assembly started small, but included a variety of signs that depicted outrage against budget cuts and the economic gap in our country. One said: “49 million Americans under the poverty line,” while another posed two options, “Tax or axe the one percent?”

“Occupy De Anza’s mission is not to protest De Anza,” said Maylea Saito, 21. “We are here to bring awareness to the student body about the budget cuts facing our school, as well as show solidarity for other schools and communities that are protesting.”

Saito said Occupy De Anza started as a spontaneous idea, much like the national Occupy movement. 

“It’s great seeing the new and diverse people in every new meeting,” Saito said. “We feel it really gives us our own identity.”

Other students approached the group to discuss their thoughts on the Occupy movement sweeping the nation.

Psychology major Peter Chaydez, 21, came out to support the Occupy De Anza movement, and said he felt the movement has wpotential. 

“We have lots of charismatic voices,” said Chaydez. “It is something real that the students can grasp.”