Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid a visit to the protesters who have been camped at Zuccotti Park for nearly a month now.
The video shows the mayor walking into the camp after dark, surrounded by his own security and protesters flashing cameras and asking questions.
Angry chants of “Billionaire Bloomberg Go to Hell!” and “You Are 1%!” can be heard, however, some protesters welcomed him and treated him with diplomacy.
One protester greets him by saying, “We love Michael Bloomberg!”
Another can be heard saying, “We’re going to provide extra security for you, sir.”
Bloomberg responds, “We’ve got plenty of security, thanks.”
The mayor went on to lay out his case for evacuating the park: “You have a right to protest and other people have a right to come through here as well. We’re going to try to balance… people that own the property, Brookfield, they have some rights, too, and we’re going to find a balance. People have a right in New York City to say what they want to say, and they have a right to not say what they don’t want to say.”
When asked what he thinks of what they’re saying, Bloomberg replied, “Everybody’s got different opinions.”
As Bloomberg made his way back into his car, one protester can be heard yelling, “Have a nice ride home, my brother! Sleep well! Sleep tight! Don’t let the bedbugs bite!”
As his car pulls away, the protesters begin another chant of “All day, all week, Occupy Wall Street!”
Apparently, the mayor also visited the park to let the protesters know city officials would be clearing the area in shifts for cleaning beginning 7 a.m. Friday morning, but they will be permitted to return. Some protesters are skeptical, though, about whether they will be allowed back once they leave.
