South Side pastor Corey Brooks occupying King Drive

South Side pastor Corey Brooks occupying King Drive
WBEZ/Grantlin Banks
South Side pastor Corey Brooks occupying King Drive
WBEZ/Grantlin Banks

South Side pastor Corey Brooks occupying King Drive

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As the Occupy Chicago movement continues protests aimed at highlighting economic inequality, a South Side pastor is staging an Occupy protest of his own.

Since late November, Rev. Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church has been camped in a tent atop an abandoned motel near 66th and South King Drive in Chicago.

Brooks launched his protest because he’s fed up with the rampant drug dealing, prostitution and rising youth violence in his community. Like the Occupy movement, Rev. Brooks felt the situation was so dire that traditional methods were insufficent to effect lasting change.

He hopes that his protest will help raise funds to convert the abandoned hotel into a community center.

As Rev. Brooks’ one man occupation continued, video journalist Grantlin Banks produced this profile.