WASHINGTON – A small city of event tents has sprouted up on the National Mall. People are converging there for three days of protests dubbed “Take Back the Capitol.”

The events are not affiliated with the Occupy movement, but do have a similar message.

Protesters say they are trying to “demand justice for the 99 percent.”

They say more needs to be done to improve the economy.

“We need to tax corporations and wealthy people that aren’t paying taxes,” says Therese Mersereau of Seattle, who used to make $25 an hour in the computer industry before her skills became outdated.

Mersereau, a single mom, now works in retail and struggles to make ends meet.

She says a lot of national issues need to be addressed.

“People need to be educated. We need to rebuild our infrastructure,” she says.

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow Kristi and WTOP on Twitter.

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