By Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Source from: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

NEW YORK– Filipino-American activists rallied yesterday to protest the New York Police Department’s mass arrest last Saturday of nearly 700 anti-Wall Street marchers on the Brooklyn Bridge.

“The protestors were essentially exercising their right to peaceful assembly, they weren’t breaking any laws,” said Bernadette Ellorin of Bayan USA. “The cops are on a rampage right now. They’re arresting people left and right.”

One of those arrested was Filipino-American Roberto Jamora of South Brooklyn, New York.

After at least ten hours in police custody and a disorderly conduct charge, Jamora and the other protestors who describe themselves as members of “Occupy Wall Street” were then released.

On his Facebook page Jamora posted: “The U.S government wants people to riot in the streets of Libya for democracy, but when people here in America want to voice their opinions peacefully, they get arrested.”

“Occupy Wall Street” is a leaderless resistance of people of different colors, genders and political persuasion. They say they will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of a small group of elite Wall Street bankers.

“We’re basically protesting for significant change, in terms of the economic situation here in the U.S. because people don’t have jobs,” said Ellorin.

After the massive arrests in New York, Occupy Wall Street has gained momentum. Similar movements in other states sprung up in Los Angeles, Chicago and Florida

Protest leader Larry Holmes said: “This is just a sign that this movement is growing, that it has no end. It had a beginning but it has no end and it’s going to get more powerful. Tea Party, watch out – that’s a thing of the past, those racists and bigots. Occupy Wall Street is the future.”

Filipino activists say they are coming back with a bigger contingent on Wednesday when another massive Occupy Wall Street protest is scheduled. ‘)}