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The date- the fifth of November- held some symbolism as well.

On Nov. 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, unsuccessfully attempted to blow up the House of Lords in England. Occupy protests around the world have adopted Fawkes masks to serve as a symbol for popular revolution.

Members of the Occupy L.A. movement wore masks or stickers to remember Fawkes’s cause on Saturday as they gathered outside City Hall, the location of Occupy L.A., to listen to the Teach-In.

Robert Scheer, executive editor at Truthdig and a professor at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, was one of the speakers. He began by declaring to the crowd, “Poverty now is as American as apple pie."

Scheer spoke about the need for mortgage relief, for the U.S. to cut its defense spending, for the importance of tighter regulation in America and, finally, why the U.S. needs a stronger healthcare system.

A former Los Angeles Times columnist, Scheer said the media needs to play a better role as a watchdog to the government. He said they supported or “cheerleaded” deregulation, specifically with the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Scheer said he was disappointed with his own party, blaming President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama for contributing to the loss of American wealth.

“If anyone told me the guys I put in power did this, I wouldn’t believe him,” said Scheer.

Scheer cited President Clinton’s Welfare Reform Act and President Barack Obama’s decision to hire government officials like Jeffery Immelt, who is also head of General Electric (a corporate conflict of interest), as part of the problem in American politics today.

Tim Forrst, who came to Occupy L.A. for the first time today to hear the speakers, was very interested in Scheer’s remarks. “Richard Scheer has an ability to dissect and tear apart the media so you can read between the lines,” said Forest.

Tom Adler, a member of Occupy L.A. also liked Scheer's speech, but found fault in his criticism of President Obama. “I don’t want to see us demonize President Obama. If we end up with yahoos, it will be a billion times worse - Bush on steroids,” said Adler.

Adler said that the political system is broken down and that it can only be changed by fixing the way campaigns are financed.

Others, like Emily Dawson, were less critical and more excited about Scheer and the Teach-In movement as a whole.  “When extremely intelligent and articulate people come to Occupy, it gets people’s attention and creates new interest,” said Dawson.