'Occupyers' burn voter cards in front of Obama headquarters

About a dozen Occupy Chicago activists gathered at six pm tonight to express their unhappiness with the Obama administration, just hours before the president is scheduled to accept his candidacy at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

Some stood in front of headquarters demanding the release of Bradley Manning, a U.S. soldier famous for exposing war crimes via Wikileaks, while others held banners that read, "Our future is squarely in the red," and "This is what democracy looks like." All were there to witness more bold activists who were there strictly to symbolically burn their voter registration cards.

Kelly Hayes, a Native American woman said she is burning her card because she feels there is no true difference between the Democrats and Republicans and said Obama has betrayed her.

"This administration, which I voted for...which I made get out the vote calls for has let me down consistently but perpetrating acts of evil. Tonight I feel like this must end," she said.

"We need to change the system...we don't buy your games anymore..and I'm tired," Babur Realer, an organizer for the event said.

Not all Occupyers agreed with this protest and organized a counter protest nearby. Activists from Occupy the Southside opposing the act stood outside Obama headquarters asking pedestrians if they had registered to vote yet.

Marissa Brown, of Occupy the Southside said this act is culturally insensitive to people of colour and a big reason why they do not participate in Occupy. She feels the most important catalyst for change is through peaceful protest.

"We will resist by having speakouts from Civil Rights leaders and victims of voter suppression tactics, we will feature statements of support from around the country, and most importantly we will be registering people to vote!"