Moore Lashes Out At CBS4 Over Wealth Questions
DENVER (CBS4) - Filmmaker and activist Michael Moore joined a growing crowd at the "Occupy" Denver protest Thursday evening, but his encounter with CBS4 left him fuming when he was asked about whether he represented the "99 percent" that the protesters stand for, or the "1 percent" they claim to be rallying against.
He appeared in Denver for a book signing event and visited the demonstration at Civic Center Park just before 6 p.m.
Moore said a few words to the crowd and then was escorted by two security guards in an SUV to the Tattered Cover's Colfax location for his "Here Comes Trouble: Stories From My Life" book signing at 6:30 p.m.
Moore talked briefly with CBS4 reporter Evrod Cassimy before he was escorted to his waiting SUV. Watch the entire exchange below.
When asked if he would acknowledge that he was rumored to be worth $50 million, and isn't he part of the 1 percent, Moore replied, "I do very well."
Cassimy: "How are you helping these people?"
Moore: "Because I do well, I want taxes raised on people who do well, including mine."
Cassimy: "How are you helping these people with your $50 million?
Moore: "I don't have $50 million."
Cassimy: "That's what it's rumored you are worth."
Moore: "Well, really. Is that what you do is sell rumors?"
Cassimy: "We're asking you for the truth."
Moore: "You're just punk media is all you are. You lie. You lie to people. Stop lying to people. Stop lying."
Cassimy: "Are you not part of the 1 percent?"
Moore: "Just don't lie, okay?"
The Associated Press reported that among the comments Moore made to the Denver crowd was a suggestion that the protesters be careful about people who are trying to incite violence among the group because they could be working undercover for the government.
"They want to ignite something to give them a reason to act violently against you. If you see somebody who says they're a member of this group trying to behave in a violent manner, you must surround that person with love and stop them," Moore said.
Moore has visited Occupy Wall Street protests in several cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, Ore.
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