Protesters assembling outside a Goldman Sachs building in New Jersey were met by almost as many security guards and police officers as the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrators sought to single out the bank.
About 50 people gathered at a Goldman Sachs building surrounded by metal barricades in Jersey City, where 30 to 40 officers and guards were waiting. Employees watched from windows as the crowd chanted "We are the 99 per cent" before breaking into discussion groups.
"Goldman Sachs has too many people in government, and too much influence," said Pat Meany, 53, who arrived on his bicycle and wore clothes painted with fluorescent colours and peace symbols. "It seems like they're looking out for America's rich. It's not for the good of all Americans."
In Trenton, about three dozen protesters were initially outnumbered by journalists for a simultaneous gathering at the World War II memorial across from the Statehouse. The crowd grew to about 75 people within an hour as participants took turns to speak about corporate greed, the influence of money on politics, war and the environment.
"There is no reason why this country should be the way it is," said Heath Weaver, 46, a self-employed videographer. "Instead of people coming together we've been fighting against each other and nothing's getting solved."
