Pro-business activists protest against Occupy Wall Street 'mob'

Pro-business activists protest against Occupy Wall Street 'mob'
Organizer claims all participants in OWS movement are unemployed; 'no value in what they have to say'
SEP 17, 2012
By  AOSTERLAND
Occupy Wall Street isn't the only political group bringing a message to the streets of New York City. A week after 140 OWS protesters were arrested in New York, the New Jersey chapter of the Americans for Prosperity organization held a rally Thursday morning across from Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan. The event was part of the organization's national Failing Agenda Bus Tour, intended “to stand up to Occupy Wall Street extremists and call attention to President Obama's failing agenda,” according to the organization's press release. “It's time someone stood up to the Occupy Wall Street mob,” said Steve Lonegan, New Jersey State director of the AFP. The group got a permit from the city to park its bus on Sixth Avenue. “People in the [OWS] movement are all unemployed and they're unhappy with everybody. There's no value in what they have to say.” Mr. Lonegan's message got an enthusiastic response from a lively, if modest, crowd of about 75, many of them clad in green AFP T-shirts. Frayda Levin, an AFP supporter, said she made the trip into the city because she's a believer in prosperity. “If we continue on the path we're on, the whole country will look like Detroit.” Deborah DeLuca, a Tea Party organizer in New Jersey, said the political debate boils down to one key issue. “We need to limit the size and expansion of government,” she said. “The AFP focuses on economic growth and prosperity and that's a common denominator we can all get behind.” Americans for Prosperity is an “organization of grass-roots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state, and federal levels,” according to the group's website. It does not yet have a New York chapter. “I'm sick of watching the left wing tear down people who have built great companies in this country. We want everyone to be able to become a Charles Koch in their own right,” said Mr. Lonegan, to which the crowd responded by chanting “USA.” Mr. Koch, chief executive of Koch Industries Inc., and his brother David helped found the AFP movement. A call at 2:00 EST on Thursday to the Occupy Wall Street press office seeking comment was not immediately returned. Mr. Lonegan's advice to supporters of Occupy Wall Street? “Get a job,” he suggested. The phrase was taken up for a few choruses by the small gathering. “They seem more orderly than the Occupy [Wall Street] crowd,” said one of two New York City policemen watching the rally from a short distance. “We like that.”

Latest News

Farther debuts AI investment proposal tool for advisors to win clients
Farther debuts AI investment proposal tool for advisors to win clients

"Im glad to see that from a regulatory perspective, we're going to get the ability to show we're responsible [...] we'll have a little bit more freedom to innovate," Farther co-founder Brad Genser told InvestmentNews.

Barred ex-Merrill Lynch advisor arrested in alleged $2.6M theft of former Miami Dolphin Pro Bowler
Barred ex-Merrill Lynch advisor arrested in alleged $2.6M theft of former Miami Dolphin Pro Bowler

Former advisor Isaiah Williams allegedly used the stolen funds from ex-Dolphins defensive safety Reshad Jones for numerous personal expenses, according to police and court records.

Are you optimally efficient?
Are you optimally efficient?

Taking a systematic approach to three key practice areas can help advisors gain confidence, get back time, and increase their opportunities.

Advisor moves: Father-son duo leaves Raymond James for LPL, RayJay adds Merrill Lynch alum in Florida
Advisor moves: Father-son duo leaves Raymond James for LPL, RayJay adds Merrill Lynch alum in Florida

Meanwhile, Osaic lures a high-net-worth advisor from Commonwealth in the Pacific Northwest.

Beacon Pointe adds six RIAs in two-month acquisition spree, boosting AUM by $2.7B
Beacon Pointe adds six RIAs in two-month acquisition spree, boosting AUM by $2.7B

The deals, which include its first stake in Ohio, push the national women-led firm up to $47 billion in assets.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.