Patchogue Native Turns Out for Wall Street Protest

Patchogue native Bill Steyert served on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam in the mid-1960s but now he's a member of Veterans for Peace.

He was one of thousands of people who gathered Saturday at Zuccotti Park in Manhattan and other sites to object to economic conditions. Standing on a low wall, he greeted arriving protesters, media and tourists, with "Welcome to Liberty Park. All are welcome if you're not violent."

Now a resident of Forest Hills, Steyert said wars are costing the United States too much. He said he opposed wars and "all those who profit from them.

"We're sick of the endless wars. We need the money here," he said before joining marchers who took their message to Chase Manhattan bank offices.

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.

Protesters moved later to Washington Square Park and then Times Square.