Occupy Albany protests at Cuomo's office

ALBANY -- More than 50 students, school teachers, state workers, retirees and a physician took the unusual step yesterday of taking their Occupy Wall Street offshoot movement to a governor's office.

After an hour of chanting and speeches outside the office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, whom they dubbed "Gov. 1 Percent," the group returned to the park across the street as they faced their first forecast snowfall.

Inside, Occupy Albany criticized the Democrat for his opposition to a proposed tax surcharge on New Yorkers making more than $1 million a year. They say the revenue could be used to stave off cuts to schools, hospitals and most public services even while public college tuition continues to climb.

"We demand that you get your priorities straight," said Jackie Hayes, 29, a student at the University at Albany. "It is a political platform that only serves your ambitions."

Cuomo was in New York City and had no immediate comment.

In lower Manhattan, the protesters who inspired the Albany demonstrators continued their demonstrations Thursday in the cold rain as police backers warned against violence a day after skirmishes broke out in Oakland, Calif. Protesters threw bottles and Oakland police fired tear gas and arrested several protesters. An Iraq War veteran was in fair condition last night with a fractured skull.

Patrick Bruner, 23, a spokesman for the Occupy group in Manhattan, called the arrests "unconscionable" and said the protesters would not be deterred.

"What the police and government seem to not have realized yet is that we are done being scared. They can't frighten us away from exercising rights. Every time they attempt to shut us down we only grow stronger," he said.

Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins told The Associated Press he wants demonstrators to know assaulting an officer is a crime.