ST. LOUIS, MO.(AP) - Pledging to re-emerge from the winter lull, organizers of Occupy protests from around the Midwest say they’ll gather in St. Louis next month bigger and stronger than before.

The Occupy Midwest Regional Conference will start with a mass gathering March 15 beneath the Gateway Arch. A mass occupation will continue through March 18, but not on the Arch grounds. Organizers aren’t disclosing the location.

Occupy St. Louis says up to 3,000 protesters from at least seven states are expected.  Rachael Perrotta of Occupy Chicago says protesters aren’t as visible during winter, but have been busy preparing for a busy spring. 

The Occupy movement began in September in New York and spread to dozens of cities. Protesters cite over concerns about economic issues, particularly high corporate profits and income inequality.

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