Port Man Joins Wall Street Protest

For Sam LeDily, participating in the Occupy Wall Street movement is one way to make change happen.

The Port Washington resident has been spending many evenings in the Lower Manhattan park where thousands of people have gathered to protest economic conditions. LeDily, 23, cooks many days and then returns home to work with his mother, Laraine, in their shop, .

“I’ve seen too many hardworking families struggling just to make it,” he said. “Lots of people aren’t able to afford college or pay for insurance. I am more than willing to pay if it’s affordable. I’m not just asking for a government handout.

“The true center of power is not in Washington. It’s in the corporations. The most important thing is that two years ago, we were stolen from to pay for bonuses.  At the same time, we’re at war, trillions being spent to kill people and with lots being stolen by contractors.”

He said he had been involved anti-war efforts before the Occupy Wall Street movement.

The protesters took over Zuccotti Park in September, demanding changes in economic conditions. While most of those sleeping in the park are young, Saturday's gathering brought out people of all ages, including many union members, veterans and others. Many in the crowd refer to the site as Liberty Park, citing its original name, Liberty Plaza Park, before its owner, Brookfield Office Properties, renamed it for its chairman, John Zuccotti.