One hundred people signed up to occupy presidential campaign headquarters at the first-in-the-nation People’s Caucus in Des Moines on Tuesday, Dec. 27. 

The People’s Caucus was a gathering of Occupy Iowa protesters, and protesters from Occupy Oakland, St. Louis, Wall Street and various places, trying to get organized so they could occupy effectively during the Iowa Caucuses.

Of the 100 people, 30 signed up to occupy Barack Obama’s headquarters, 20 for Mitt Romney’s headquarters, 18 for Ron Paul, 10 for Newt Gingrich, 10 for Rick Perry, seven for Michele Bachmann and one for Rick Santorum.

Another group formed to occupy multiple campaign headquarters.

The night started off with a speech from Aaron Jorgenson-Briggs, a member of Occupy Iowa.

Brigg’s speech began with a quote by Abraham Lincoln from 1864. He said:

“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money-power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”

Brigg said the quote still resonates clearly in Des Moines in 2011.

“We are here tonight to restore the American political system and American society to make it human-centered and not profit-centered,” Briggs said. “We are here tonight because our leaders are no longer able to lead us. Now is the time for us to lead.”

Paul Engler, from Occupy Los Angeles, said he was disappointed that Wall Street has given so much money to the people running in the Iowa caucuses.

“Wall Street has interrupted this American tradition,” Engler said. “We’re here to use nonviolence and the tactics of nonviolence to enliven and strengthen our democracy we are not here to disrupt the caucuses.”

Engler said the real disruption is how much money is put into the democratic system.

“People speaking out nonviolently to candidates is not a bad, disruptive thing,” he said. “Asking questions is actually what we need.”

Multiple people took the stage to state why they were participating in Occupy the Caucus. Several complaints had to do with corporate money taking over the Iowa caucuses, high student debt and the high cost of health care.

The night ended with a recitation of a pledge: 

“The Iowa Caucus is committed to nonviolence and nonviolent action. All participants in events … are expected to share this commitment to nonviolence and nonviolent action.”

A list of principles was also read. Protesters stated: 

“We will act fairly and honestly … We will remain calm and aware at all times … We will prepare ourselves before we act … We will keep a clear state of mind and refrain from drugs and alcohol … We will not bring any illegal drugs or alcohol to any Occupy the Caucuses event … We will carry no weapons.”

The Occupy Iowa Caucus headquarters is located at 504 East Locust St. in Des Moines. The occupiers plan to meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the headquarters for another meeting before beginning their occupations.