Wanting An Occupation

Leave it to Washington to welcome smelly hippies:

Earlier this week, D.C. council members told reporters the protesters could stay. Councilman Phil Mendelson said the city shouldn't "overreact." Councilman David Catania told The Washington Post the occupiers have been "unobtrusive."

Despite the anti-capitalist message of the Occupy movement, protests can actually be good for business in the District. In places like Oakland, tourists don't generally travel there to make their peace. But in D.C., a protest is a destination event. People from all over the country arrive to protest for or against abortion rights, for or against immigration reform, for or against tax hikes.

And that means new customers.

"It gives an increase in sales," said Margaret Singleton, executive director of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce.

Anti-capitalism is good for business? I guess somebody forgot to tell the local business owners in New York and elsewhere...