Milwaukee anti-Wall Street protest draws hundreds

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Hundreds of people in Milwaukee have joined a nationwide anti-Wall Street movement by holding rallies in front of several downtown banks. No violence or arrests have been reported.

Saturday’s demonstration coincided with others across the country, from New York to Seattle. A similar rally was scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Madison.

The Milwaukee protesters held signs reading, “Keep your corporate hands off my government,” and “Mr. Obama, Tear Down That Wall Street.”

Retired teacher Albert Siemsen of Milwaukee says he grew angry watching school funding get cut at the same time that banks and corporations gained more influence in government. The 81-year-old wants to see tighter Wall Street regulation.

Sixty-two-year-old John Parkes of Bayside is unemployed. He says it’s people who should control the government, not corporations.