Image Credit: Andrew Burton/AP Images
Depending on which side of the political spectrum you fall on, Occupy Wall Street is either a futile attempt for progress made by smelly hippies or a much-needed democracy-in-action movement that speaks to the struggling working class. Bonus incentive if you fall on the latter: There are celebrities galore!
On Monday, Kanye West joined the growing list of stars who have visited the protesters who have been making their point(s) in downtown Manhattan for about three weeks. West was accompanied by Russell Simmons, who tweeted after the experience, “I just walked @kanyewest thru the #occupywallstreet. I love how sweet and tolerant he was to the crowd.” (It’s pretty fair to say that Geraldo Rivera didn’t get quite the same reception when he visited the area.) Simmons, who posted photos of their visit on Twitter, wrote on Tuesday morning, “This morning I applaud @kanyewest for using his celebrity to help others His appearance yesterday mattered!! #occupywallstreet.” Yes, citizens, thank goodness for Kanye!
But West and Simmons are hardly the first celebrities to show their support for those on the frontlines of the protests. Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore, and Roseanne Barr have all made their way to the site, while Alec Baldwin, Jane Fonda and Yoko Ono have all expressed their support. During a recent segment on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart went on the defense for Occupy Wall Street-ers, or more accurately, their equally vocal critics.
Additionally, Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum made April Ludgate protestors happy when he paid a visit and performed last Wednesday. (The singer told those involved, “You guys have done a beautiful f—ing thing.”) The next day Talib Kweli also performed for Occupy Wall Street, alerting followers via Twitter, “Pulling up on #occupywallstreet liberty and broadway. Now this is the New York City I love.”
What do you think of celebrities making personal visits in support of Occupy Wall Street, PopWatchers? Does it reek of self-promotion? Which star do you think will show up in downtown Manhattan next? Share in the comments section below.
Read more:
Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum performs for Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street protest boasts visits from Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon
Jon Stewart takes on Occupy Wall Street critics: Watch!
EW – please, please, please get rid of the gigantic “Fall TV” box on the home page. It is really annoying to scroll down past it every time to get to the other headlines below. Most fall TV shows have already premiered, and virtually every story in that giant box is an old headline we’ve already seen. If I want to revisit these past tv stories or get more information on any of the shows, I’ll click on the TV section. The home page should be for overall headlines -many of which are contradicted from “Latest Headlines” and “From our Blog” – so I like to see them all at one glance. Thank you!
Seconded!
My best friend has just announced her wedding with a great man who is a cele+brity!
They met-via { Himillionaires&c;o;m }
It is nice club for rich men or pretty girls mate.
You do not need to be wealthy or famous, but you can meet your true love, it’s worthy a try.
AGREE!!! SO ANNOYING!
AGREED
Omg it worked! The box is bone. Rejoice the return of EW.com in all its glory!
my sisters friend makes $50 an hour on the internet. She has been unemployed for 8 months but last month her cheque was $6200 just working on the internet for a few hours. Go here CashHard.c om
Funny how the writer frames people’s opinions on this ‘movement’ as either you’re for it, or you think it’s an attempt for progress (albeit futile). Uh, really?? Maybe there’s a third option. How about those of us that think these people are a bunch of idiots. Every news story I’ve seen where the protestors are interviewed – the vast majority have no idea why they’re there or what they’re trying to achieve. Just the cool thing to do this week I guess. Harrass those who are actually out working to make a better life for themselves and their families instead of doing for yourself.
So glad you have a job. Many people protesting don’t …and that’s why they are there. They are protesting the financial policies that have lead to this huge mess we are in and why millions are out of work.
then why aren’t they protesting at the white house. that’s where all this trouble has come from
If they don’t have jobs, and they have families and/or themselves to support, doesn’t it make more sense to continue LOOKING for a job, rather than protesting? I am all for change, but explain to me how bullying people who are working, and have been fortunate enough to hold down a job is productive in their own search for a job?
Actually, those protesters do have a job. The Working Families Party has posted craigslist ads looking for people to join the protest for $350-$650 per week. Does that mean that capitalism is only evil sometimes?
I don’t understand how you can call them an idiot, don’t you understand how much of a hypocrite that makes you? Millionares get taxed at a rate of roughly 17%, working class people get taxed at a rate of 33%. Do you not see the problem there?
Ever think that the media is purposefully airing interviews with the less informed protesters? No, I don’t think you would have ever assumed that. That is too far out of your comfort zone. You should be supporting these people because it effects YOU!
This country could have free healthcare, free education and many social programs, just like countries such as France (has #1 health care in world and its free). Instead, Wall Street’s growth has increased by 700% in the past few years while the unemployment statistic has risen by 100%.
How’s that for an idiot not knowing what he’s talking about?
What working class people get taxed at a rate of 33%? Take a look at your tax return and I guarantee you didn’t pay that (by the way I’m working class and I didn’t pay that either). My question regarding the protests is what they are going to accomplish. Go vote, write legislation, do something productive. Standing outside on a street corner isn’t going to change anything. And, what exactly do you think will happen to our country if everyone on Wall Street (or any other industry you don’t care for) just packs it in and goes home tomorrow? Do you have any idea how many people’s pensions would be impacted by something like that? France has their fair share of problems, check out their unemployment rate and the fact that I remember ongoing protests by their youth in the last few years because there is no work. I, for one, don’t have any desire to live in France. At least here you (or I) or anyone willing to take chances and better themselves can still move up. There is no free lunch (cliche but true). Someone has to work for all those freebies to hand out to others. If everything is free what’s the incentive for anyone to work (I guess just out of the goodness of their hearts)? Problem with that is eventually the standard of living gets lowered for all. Just look at all the communist countries that have been so successful with that philosophy. It is likely that our viewpoints are too different to be bridged and I seriously doubt anything I can say will change your mind.
Christie you don’t seem to understand that MONEY is what controls the entire political process. Politicians are ushered into their positions by massive donations from big corporations, not from the average voter. The only way to really raise awareness is to protest.
As for France, you have no clue what you are talking about. The US unemployment rate is VASTLY higher than the one in France, and people in France protest when things aren’t right, why would you use that against them?
Either way, a 25% tax bracket for the middle class is AWFUL compared to the 17% that most millionaires pay. Not to mention all the loopholes that corporations use to pay NOTHING in taxes. Educate yourself, please.
France is not a communist country, Germany is not a communist country, yet their standard of living far exceeds our own. Please educate yourself.
Brian,
I am sorry we have differing viewpoints. However, you don’t need to insult me. There were in fact vast protests in France not too long ago by their youths regarding unemployment. Young workers could not get work, why don’t you look it up if you don’t believe me. Also, I have not criticized your intelligence, so please don’t insult mine. I have a Finance degree, MBA and a professional designation so I do have a clue that money makes the world go round (and no, I don’t work on Wall Street so please don’t go there). I, however, still happen to think that while everything isn’t fair (and never will be anywhere) we do have the best system there is.
We clearly do not have the best system there is. Until we have free healthcare and free education, with a low unemployment rate (if you know finance then you should have some idea of how deceptive our current one is), then we will not have the best system there is.
France had problems a few years ago, so they protested and the problems went away. Why are you using that as an argument point?
The system we live in is most certainly unfair. When money controls the government, and when the extremely rich are not forced to pay the fair equivalent in taxes… when 1% controls a vast majority of the wealth and that wealth does not trickle down via taxes… then we certainly do not have the best system there is.
I think you are largely unaware of how foreign countries work, and you are comparing the only country you know to stereotypes about countries you don’t know.
As someone who has family in France, and who has lived in both countries, I can safely say that France has it MUCH better than we do.
I think you should check your numbers. I don’t have a strong opinion on either side of the protester debate, but your figures are inaccurate. Very few citizens, if any, have a 33% effective tax rate (total taxes paid divided by pre-tax earnings). For 2011, a married couple making $100k/year without itemizing deductions will pay just over 15% in federal income tax. For a married couple making $50k/year it is less than 11%. The math is too complicated for a post, but you can recalculate these from the IRS website – search for Publication 15 that lists the rates.
And you shouldn’t call European social programs “free”. Taxes there are significantly higher than in the US. The UK for example has a 20% flat tax for most people (40% for the very rich), and then has an additional tax for their “free” healthcare.
Not saying that things here are perfect, but to make blanket statements that the majority of Americans could pay less in taxes while at the same time benefitting from expanded social programs is naive.
You’re right Aaron, thanks for the clarification. I still maintain that the taxation system in European countries is superior to our own in its fairness.
Also, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in August 2011, unemployment was at 9.1% in the US compared to 9.3% in France.
Just FYI
Our unemployment statistic is vastly under-representative of the actual rate of unemployment.
“I’m pissed off and don’t know why, but weez is gonna protest at that there Wall Street thing. I have no idea how, but things is gonna change, I tell ya!”
O.k., we can go back and forth all day. I like France, have visited there and have no problem with the place.However, according to Wikipedia (which I just checked) their unemployment rate is on par or higher than that of the U.S. Again with your assumptions about me. Much of my family lives in England where they have ‘free’ medicine. I would take our system here over there’s anytime. Wasn’t too nice watching my 80 year old grandmother have to wait over a year for a hip replacement and my grandfather have to wait 2 years for a knee replacement when they were basically immobile. The waiting lists and all the red tape are the one thing never touted when people discuss governement healthcare. End of rant. Hope you have a nice day Brian.
It isn’t nice watching people who don’t have insurance get their lives taken away from them because of massive hospital bills. Immobile, or completely broke? I’ll take immobile. Yeah have a nice day, hopefully something happens in your life that will change your opinion.
Christie.
Go back to your bourgeois bubble, you are oblivious to what’s really happening.
Tonya, Whats the hope in looking, when almost all our jobs are shipped over seas; companies continue to down size.
Most of you are ignorant bc you gather and shape your opinion based on what corporate news tells you.
Ps. Kayne West IS an idiot. He doesnt care about the people. He is scared that his lifestyle might end if or when we, 99% win. He is there for pr unlike imortal technique who really does care about the movement.
But now Kanye is the the MAN! He makes millions. They should be protesting him!
wow. when i’m protesting the corruption of money and the greed of wall street, it really means a lot when millionaires show their support.
Right?! What in the hell? Why is Kanye West even down there? If he would, perhaps, say something worth a damn or volunteer or donate or… you know, do anything other than being a douche, an article is worth the time. This writer needs a reality check.
Being a douche is what he’s best at.
It should mean a lot to you. Your ignorance is astounding. If some of the 1% start supporting us, then others will follow. People like Kanye West can influence hundreds of thousands. Way to use your brain.
Riiight… so his song about hanging out in Paris with Jay Z is influencing tons of people to the economic catastrophe caused by Wall Street onto the Middle Class.
He can get more people interested in protesting, that’s all it takes.
Strongly disagree! Random Kanye fans joining the protest with little knowledge of actual issues is not what this movement, which is already lacking a central theme, needs.
Kanye West can influence millions? Those are the ones who have to start using their brains! LOL!
Kanye West will support those people and the movement because it is trendy. Once he realizes that some of his money will be targeted, he will not be supporting that cause! He doesn’t even know what it is about, he just knows it’s cool.
They are only protesting Wall Street millionaires. They don’t care about all of the celebrities, athletes and entertainers that make millions. Celebrities aren’t greedy … Wall Street has a monopoly on greed. Remember the movie?
Celebrities aren’t greedy?! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! 17 seasons of MTV Cribs has taught you nothing!
Christie – the “out working to make a better life” nonsense is complete B.S. Drug dealers on your corner are “out working” as well. Wall Street banks conducted illegal activities in the name of profit – and those actions put our entire country in an economic meltdown. Nobody went to jail – and our tax $’s paid for their bonuses. Where’s the justice?
Wow…so many problems here.
1) most of the financial dealings by the banks that led to the main financial crisis a few years ago were not illegal, they just weren’t smart. Banks loaned money to people who couldn’t afford to repay the loans, and then investors put money behind those bad loans because they didn’t understand the risk. Nothing illegal happened, just a bunch of people making poor financial decisions, not the least of which related to middle income Americans borrowing far more than they could ever hope to repay because they didn’t understand a few basic monetary concepts. Very hard to blame all of that on the banks.
2) Your tax dollars didn’t pay any of their bonuses. Banks are not taxpayer funded (at least not pre-bailout, which is another story entirely, but most of the bonuses that were in the news were pre bailout as well). Those bonuses were paid using funds from things like ATM fees and interest income on the good loans they made.
I’m not saying these bankers are great guys. In fact, they made a lot of very poor decisions. But at the end of the day a lot of the financial mess we’re in right now has been fueled by media outlets touting doom and gloom in order to fill 24 hours of news coverage. And the piece of the crisis that is actually related to poor financial decisions was far from a crime.
‘most’ weren’t illegal? The fraudulent lending? The bailout was corporate welfare paid by us to keep banks running after being run into the ground. Yes, WE paid for the bonuses – you, me and every other taxpayer. Don’t try to pretend bonus money would have been there without the bailouts.
Not sure how I feel about this Ocupado Wall Street hoo-ha . As a member of a populist party I should side with the group sticking up for the the middle class, Joe the Plumber types. On the other hand I’m all for the free market and small government. I’m so conflicted! I don’t like it!
Doesn’t Kanye brag about luxury brands like Versace and Cristal? Seems like the exact opposite of what these people are protesting.
Yeah, really. Wasn’t there an article on EW recently talking about how Kanye has diamond encrusted teeth?!?!
I don’t necessarily object to Kanye being down there. He may be famous but he has every right as a citizen to be there. I do object to the fact that the media is covering his being there. It smells of opprtunism to me.
And they have every right to determine that Kanye has made too much money, and take the lion’s share of his money in taxes and ‘redistribute his wealth’.
unless Kanye West brings a beat box and raps about n*ggas, or hawks his clothing line, I’m not sure what his presence can do.
Another person who is wallowing in ignorance. Kanye West has influence over TONSSS of people. How is him supporting Occupy Wall Street NOT a good thing? Christ, wake up.
You’re not much of a deep thinker, Brian. By your same logic, Colonel Sanders has influence over “TONSSS” of people… but no one expects him to receive a warm greeting at a PETA convention.
what does he influence them to do? be specific. Occupy Wall St. already has media attention. as far as I can tell, that’s what Kanye is best known for. plus singing about n*ggas over computerized “music”, hassling Taylor Swift, tweet wars and a clothing line.
It is a totally different thing, man. Kanye West is rich, yes, but he isn’t part of the system that is screwing people over. Your analogy would hold weight if Kanye West was the owner of JP Morgan or some company like that.
I like the analogy, but it is totally misplaced.
Wow, you’re still not getting it, Brian. It’s not because he’s rich. I’m sure there are plenty of rich people disenchanted with how much influence big business has over government. It’s because he namechecks luxury brands in songs… he tweets photos of Versace couches… he wears designer clothing and expensive watches. He may not own JP Morgan, but he is certainly contributing to the problem. The Roots or Black Star or another more social and political conscience group (regardless of their personal wealth) would be a stronger fit than Kanye.
Kanye West makes milions peddling verbal porn. I actually have more respect for JP Morgan.
you’re a racist
if you’re replying to me, I never mentioned race. Kanye West refers to race repeatedly in his “songs”, though. his derogatory term for blacks is highly offensive…esp since it’s done purely for profit and has no creative value at all.
@Donna-Yes, but that’s only one part of the equation. Wall Street and Washington are in bed with each other. They go hand in hand. But the policies that Washington has let go regulated and unchecked have benefited Wall Street instead of “Regular Street”. PLEASE, just google CDS bets. These bets led to the financial crisis of 2008. That little info alone will make your eyeballs bleed and make your want to strangle someone. And you will understand a small part of why people are protesting.
The problem is, the people protesting have never googled CDS bets. And protesting against rich people is a stupid protest. Rich people pay lower taxes because they took the effort to research how to do so. They pay those lower taxes legally. If tax legislation is changed, this would no longer happen. In business people make risky bets all the time, it is just an unfortunate thing that large financial instituions are so interlinked and have such a big effect on the economy. 99% of the working class would make similarly risky decisions for their own profit, but their failure would not have such a big consequence.
You’re missing the point with CDS bets. They took all those risks to the tune of Billions and Billions of dollars and because their bets failed, WE the TAXPAYER had to cover their losses. I don’t care if it was legal or not, we should not have to pay because they lost money. I can’t believe you are defending them.
Like it or not, smart invesment or not, they were legitimate investment vehicles. Protest at the White House for policy change if that is your issue. Do not fault the people that use the free market to make a profit.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game?
The more the merrier I say. As long as the people’s voices are heard, how the message is relayed and from whom is not important.
~RD
Why is a man who makes more money in a year than I will make in my life time, who wears a HUGE gold chain and hang out with another man who has more money than anyone I know go to a thing like this? Am I wrong in thinking that this is a protest towards the people who make alot of money and pay little taxes? So why is he there? Could it be to once again try to boost his crappy carreer? Show your support Kayne and Russel by staying home.
Maybe he understands just how messed up the system is? Show a little brains and think outside the box, you sheep.
Remember when we used to think outside the bun? Those were good days.
EW, thanks for letting me know what celebrities support these lazy idiot protesters. I can stop spending my hard earned middle class money on their films, tv, and music.
@joe…
Does calling peole lazy make you feel better about how uninformed you are?
Does calling Joe ‘uninformed’ because he called the protesters lazy make you feel better?
I dont think the protesters are just against rich people….I think they are against the way corporations have hijacked our politicians and laws so they gain favor in ALL economic climates to the detriment of the lower clases. I dont think that can be disputed….rich people aren’t the problem…its the people who run these corporations who manipulate the system, who ship jobs overseas, who don’t pay taxes..Kanye, Mike Moore, Susan Sarandon and their ilk are not culprits