Occupy Memphis, Tea Party Members Meet

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Occupy Memphis protesters say they have some issues in common with members of the Tea Party.

University of Memphis students Mallory Pope and Tristan Tran had a lively, sometimes strained but mostly civil discussion with about 75 members of the Mid-South Tea Party at a meeting hall outside Memphis on Thursday night.

The two Occupy Memphis members and their audience — made up mostly of whites over 40 years old — reached common ground on some issues, such their perception that the government and politicians no longer listen to and serve the people they represent.

But several levels of disagreement also emerged. Tea Party members expressed frustration with big, intrusive government, while the Occupy Memphis speakers opposed corporations and their purported influence on elected officials.