Occupy Wall Street rally draws small crowd to Trenton

The Occupy Wall Street protest spread to New Jersey’s capital Thursday. It was a small demonstration compared with the others rallies that have been sweeping the country.

About three dozen protesters showed up across the street from the Statehouse in Trenton to show their displeasure with the nation’s economic policies.

The government is trying to appease corporations, said David Discenza of Toms River.

“Corporate America is running this country. Everything is geared for the big businessperson to make cash at the expense of people who are trying to feed their families and put a roof over their home,” he said. “We’re getting our health care cut at every turn. All our benefits are being taken away while people live large.”

Other protesters had similar sentiments.

The federal government should have out conditions on the money it used to bail out the foundering banks so they couldn’t “put it into their own pockets,” said Larry Witlen of North Brunswick.

“Some payback that should have been given. Not just paying back the loans, but making loans to other Americans instead of holding it out and putting it in the freezer,” he said.

Anne Christiansen of Egg Harbor Township said she is upset with the country’s economic situation.

“I’m protesting the fact that the banks that caused this depression have not had to pay one penny to try and right it,” she said.

Susan Switlik of Trenton said she also is hoping for changes.

“The American economic system discriminates against the average working person, Switlik said. “Wages have not increased except for the rich and I think people are just fed up with it.”

Discenza said he hopes the protest will mobilize others to speak out.