Thousands of Occupy Wall Street supporters have marched on Wall Street, swelled by the backing of more big US unions and backed by a national student day of action.Amid fine autumn sunshine and in a festive mood, an estimated 15,000 protesters brought Lower Manhattan to a standstill.
James P Hoffa, leader of the Teamsters Union, which represents 1.4m workers. confirmed its backing for Occupy Wall Street. Here's his statement:
"No one should be surprised that Occupy Wall Street is gaining support and spreading quickly around the country. The American Dream has disappeared for students, whose reality is debt and unemployment. The dream disappeared for workers forced to take wage cuts by employers sitting on billions of dollars in profits. The dream disappeared for working families who paid too steep a price for Wall Street's greed, stupidity and fraud."
"It's clear what this movement is all about. It's about taking America back from the CEOs and billionaires on Wall Street who have destroyed our nation's economy. It's about creating good jobs. It's about corporate America treating its workers and customers with honesty and fairness and paying its fair share to stimulate the economy."
"Teamsters all over the country are participating in Occupy Wall Street events, and I support and encourage them. We stand in solidarity with Americans who want better lives for themselves and for future generations."
In an earlier visit to Florida, Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential hopeful, prompted anger by suggesting the Occupy Wall Street protesters represented "class warfare".
Another candidate, Herman Cain, also angered the Occupy Wall Street protests. He said in a Wall Street Journal interview:
Another candidate, Herman Cain, also angered the Occupy Wall Street protests. He said in a Wall Street Journal interview:
"I don't have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself! It is not someone's fault if they succeeded."
