Occupy L.A. is rolling into its fourth week, having completed its third full week on the City Hall grounds Friday and showing no signs of old age. 

An Occupy L.A. protester (Andrew McIntyre)

“The strategy of giving us everything that we want in hopes that we are going to sort of consume ourselves is pretty prudent," said Matt Ward, seated beneath a banner advertising three-week-old People’s Collective University, a small tent for on-site learning and sharing of information germane to the movement’s interests.

After Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa declined Thursday to tender a long-term commitment of support, the movement seemed unfazed.

“I don’t want to assume that that is [the mayor’s] motive, by any stretch, but if it is, it’s a prudent move,” added Ward. “We just want to make sure that it’s with a contingency that this isn’t a quid pro quo thing.”

With the Wells Fargo building looming to the southwest and a fountain with Frank Putnam Flint—an early 20th century judge, U.S. Senator and banker—eyeing the action to City Hall’s south, occupiers Friday in part mingled with one another in and around their tent spaces, content to stake their claim to the City Hall grounds and let their signs do some of the talking.

One sign quotes Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of the private sector to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself.”  

Another, strategically placed with Wells Fargo in the background, condemns the actions of Citibank and J.P. Morgan.

While many have questioned the ability of this and other Occupy movements to put forth a clear message, occupiers contend the scope of the movement poses a set of obstacles to a unified message.

“You can’t expect hundreds of people to come together and automatically all be on the same page and know exactly what they want. What we’re doing now is forming a list of demands,” said Amy Jones, who works at the movement’s information station on the south side of City Hall.

The list is not yet official but Jones said that ending the Federal Reserve and prosecuting certain Wall Street executives would be on it.

While the list may still be in its nascent stage, occupiers believe they are being heard, pointing to the L.A. City Council—which voted Oct. 12 to support Occupy L.A.—as evidence.

“I’m so proud of my city—LAPD, LAFD, City Council. We’re representing them, their families, their friends,” said Jenifer Sunshine, who asks occupiers to call her Sunshine.

Critics have also questioned the efficacy of this and other Occupy movements, given a lack of visible leadership.

“Theoretically, nobody’s in charge,” said Tyrone Merriner. That said, Merriner waxed eloquent about the organizational nature of the movement.

“A lot of the whole occupation is the general assembly and the consensus. Just the non-hierarchical organization alone is pretty revolutionary.”

Merriner, black lab Ninja by his side, articulated what he views as a tipping point.

“People are too wound up. The comfort level that has kept America quiet all this time is not there anymore. I guess the fluoride is not working in the water, or whatever else they use… It was a dammed up sentiment and it’s bursting out, and I don’t think it will stop.”

Aside from a brief confrontation between two individuals on the west side of City Hall, which at one point drew 15 law enforcement officers, police presence during the day was largely unfelt.

“The police totally accept what we are doing,” said Steven Spicer from the City Hall south steps, a peace sign painted on the steps behind and above him. “Expect us to be here for an extended period.”

Reach Andrew McIntyre here.