By Steve Miller, Beacon Staff

strongUPDATE: /strongOn Sept. 28, Occupy Boston held its second general assembly. Once again, the crowd count numbered over 200.

When I look out at this assembly, it makes me feel patriotic, said organizer Marisa Egerstrom. It shows that the thing we call America still exists.

A decision was reached to begin demonstrations at Dewey Square, Friday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

emTim Johnson, Beacon correspondent, contributed reporting./em

strongORIGINAL POST:/strong

strong/strongA group of over 200 students, activists, and community members gathered on the Common Tuesday (S night for the first general assembly of Occupy Boston, a movement seeking to expand the protests against economic inequality that have been taking place in New York City over the past 11 days.

“This is a fight for the soul of our nation,” Egerstrom said to the crowd.

After nearly four hours of discussion, planning, and modified consensus voting — a system in which decisions are made by majority vote, with the option of individual block — no plans were set as to when any sort of singular demonstration might begin. Dewey Square, however, was chosen as an “occupation” location given its proximity to Boston’s Financial District and South Station.

There was much contention within the group as to how maximum impact could be achieved. Many in attendance felt the movement should seize the momentum generated by the New York demonstrations and begin occupying this Friday.

Others, however, voiced concerns about a lack of organization, and the detrimental effects of kicking off protests without a thought out strategy.

“You could have flash mobbed on the Internet!” shouted one attendee.

The group is meeting again tonight at the gazebo in an attempt to finalize demonstration plans.