From Washington Heights to Wall Street, hundreds marched the 11-mile length of Manhattan in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protest yesterday.
The “End to End” march began at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of 181st Street and St. Nicholas in Washington Heights. Marchers didn’t finish until they hit Zuccotti Park at about 4:30 p.m.
The 11-mile march snowballed throughout the day, with Occupy Wall Street recording 1,000 marchers at its max. Police reported the march began with 300 protesters and finished with 500 at the park.
“Communities of color have been especially hard hit,” said Tyler Combelic, a volunteer with Occupy Wall Street. “We’re proud to stand with our brothers and sisters from diverse communities around New York.”
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was reportedly spotted amongst the marchers, along with City Comptroller John Liu and other local officials. The NAACP and members of Community Board 12 also marched.
Among the marchers was Sal Laquila, 55, a Brooklyn veteran who trudged the entire 11 miles while waving Old Glory.
When asked if he was tired, Laquila shot back: “I’m tired of the unnecessary tactics against the poor. They’re human beings at the bottom of the pyramid.”
Follow Emily Anne Epstein on Twitter @EmilyatMetro.
