In-tents relationship: Protesters to tie knot
Anger at the banks brought them together but it was the banks of the Lee that helped romance blossom for this young Occupy couple.
Beautiful flame-haired American Alisa Pierini, who joined the Occupy Cork camp about eight weeks ago, is set to tie the knot with its “head of security” after a whirlwind romance.
Alisa, 22, from Santa Cruz in California, and Jonathan Keane, 25, from Clonakilty in Co Cork, believe they are the first Occupy supporters to meet and get engaged during the protests.
“It was love at first sight,” said Jonathan.
Alisa agrees: “I never thought I would have a story like this, a story made for cinema, of two revolutionaries finding each other in the cold, damp nights of the Occupy Cork camp and fall in love for eternity.
“I usually over-rationalise things, but love is something you can’t rationalise. But when I knew, I knew. The length of time doesn’t change that.”
Alisa, who is studying anthropology in the University of California, arrived at UCC earlier this year to complete her senior thesis, with “no romantic expectations”.
“I am not prone to romance or fantasies of perfection,” she said.
That changed when she visited the Occupy Cork camp on the South Mall to offer support.
It was a combination of Jonathan’s honesty and his West Cork accent that kept bringing her back, friends joked.
“It started off as kinda fun, and friendly. We were just hanging out and being a bit flirtatious,” Alisa said.
“But then there was a sudden realisation that we felt the same way. It’s totally out of character for me, but that’s what makes it more real to me.”
Jonathan told Alisa how he felt. She said she felt the same way. He plucked up the courage, dropped on one knee and popped the question at Occupy Cork’s General Assembly. And Alisa said she had no hesitation in saying “yes”.
Jewellers are sizing her engagement ring, which will be studded with three opals.
Alisa, who is heading back to the US on December 20 to complete her degree, and who also works as an intern journalist with New York’s Irish Central, is confident in the relationship.
“We are both loyal and when I commit, I make it work. We’ll keep in touch with phone calls and Skype. It won’t be easy but it will work,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has urged people to join Occupy’s March of Resistance through the city on Saturday.
Protesters are due to meet at Emmet Place at 2pm and march through the city.
Similar marches are planned in Dublin, Waterford and Galway.
