'Occupy Wall Street' Protesters Hold 'Millionaires March' On The Upper East Side
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- "Occupy Wall Street" protesters took their demonstration from Zuccotti Park to Park Avenue on Tuesday, delivering their message to the homes of some of the city's wealthiest residents.
Chanting "We are the 99 percent!" they raised their voices, raised their signs and raised a ruckus as they marched through the land of the ladies who lunch, reports CBS 2's Tony Aiello.
"Hey, you millionaires, pay your fair share!" several protesters screamed.
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Some of the crowd traveled uptown to join several hundred activists and union members in a "millionaires march."
"We're living in a time where I've never seen so much shameless greed," Upper West Side resident Sima Zaluta said.
They targeted five ultra-rich business tycoons who live on the Upper East Side -- Rupert Murdoch, David Koch, Howard Milstein, John Paulson and Jamie Dimon – to illustrate how they'll benefit when New York's so-called "millionaire's tax" expires in December.
The protest comes as New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report showing that Wall Street is again losing jobs because of global economic woes, threatening tax revenue for a city and state heavily reliant on the financial industry.
LINK: Read The Report Here
"It's crazy to be cutting services for homeless kids, to be giving more money to Rupert Murdoch. We should stop that," march organizer Mike Kink said.
Their ire was aimed at politicians from both major parties, including the Democratic governor who fought to end the millionaire's tax.
When asked what his message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Wanke Starks of Bed-Stuy said, "to stop protecting the millionaires and the billionaires and to start working for the people, because we put him in office."
Watching it all were some who found the protests misguided.
"Some of their complaints to me is kinda off base. If you really want to create jobs, you don't protest the people who are trying to create 'em," said James Minton of Winston-Salem, N.C.
"I don't think you can justify labeling rich people one way, and people that are not rich another way," added Alex Schwartz of the Upper East Side.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly weighed in with his thoughts on Tuesday, saying protesters had a right to speak as long they do it in an orderly manner.
"As long as people obey the law they're going to have no problem with the police department," Kelly said. "We obviously are there to facilitate free speech; people are demonstrating their constitutional right to speak."
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The protesters continue to gather support, with sympathy demonstrations underway across the country and some unions joining their rallies. Some 100 people taking part in the "Occupy Boston" march were arrested early Tuesday.
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Monday, some celebrities showed up at Zuccotti Park, including media mogul Russell Simmons and actress Susan Sarandon.
Simmons appeared in a YouTube video with rapper Kanye Wall Street at Zuccotti Park.
"Kanye has been a big supporter spiritually for this movement," Simmons said. "He's just here to stand with the people."
"He understands this idea about getting money out of government, of letting the people govern. He wants to give power back to the people. That's why we're here," Simmons said, as West stood silently next to him.
"I'm happy to pay more taxes. All these people are here because they want more community effort from this country," said Simmons.
"Let's use a little of this wealth to give people the basic necessities," said protester Sparrow Kennedy.
Others protesters simply want a job.
"I am unemployed," said an exasperated Buddy Bolton. "I have desperately been looking for work for over a year and a half."
"We do not need a unified message," said demonstrator Max Hodes.
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