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SALT LAKE CITY -- It's getting colder and their numbers appear smaller, but Occupy Salt Lake City members are solidifying their fortifications downtown and plotting protests for the holiday weekend.
Organizer Gregory Lucero told KSL Wednesday the group plans to demonstrate outside area Walmart stores on Black Friday. A flier being circulated pushes people to picket at the downtown Salt Lake City location at 350 Hope Ave. The message? Buy local.
"Because it's a great day to go out and shop, go out and shop locally," Occupy member Seth Walker said at the group's outpost on the Gallivan Center Plaza.
"If you're going to take that money and put it out there anyways, put it out in your community where it actually matters. Supporting Walmart doesn't help your neighbors."
Ahead of that protest, members are planning a march and "positive" demonstration at the One World Café on Thanksgiving.
"Instead of talking about the things we don't want and protesting the places we don't like, we're going to make signs that talk about the things we do like," Walker said.
Lucero said Occupy Salt Lake City maintains a solid core. General assembly meetings are still attended regularly by up to 50 members.
The group's downtown outpost sported a new feature Wednesday - a dome constructed with mostly recycled and used materials. It's sturdier than the Pioneer Park version, featuring hot tub covers for insulation, a floor made of crates for drainage, and a metal frame overhead.
"[It's] compact-wrenched together so it's a very sturdy structure," said Walker, who then did a pull-up to demonstrate. "This whole thing holds."
The group plans to install a TV monitor and book shelves and create a place of learning where guest lecturers can speak.
"Just building up our structure so we can host more, you know, try to give back to the community," member Noel Song said.
Group members said they were able tolerate the colder November temperatures and continue to spread their message.
"People ask us how we stay warm?" Song quipped. "We say lots of blankets and courage."
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