(KMOV) – The St. Louis labor unions are throwing their weight behind the Occupy protest movement, swelling the crowd to its biggest numbers yet.
The protesters’ first stop was a Bank of America building downtown as big banks are a key focus of their protest.
There’s a heavy police presence downtown; streets are closed and there are at least 50 officers with nightsticks and zip-tie handcuffs.
Police say they’re frustrated that the officers have been pulled off the streets away from fighting crime to tame the protest.
Protesters and union members say it’s time to speak up for the middle class who are struggling to keep their jobs and homes while the rich get richer.
The Occupy protests have been maligned for lacking focus and even for protesters being dirty and smelly from camping out.
