Celebs at Occupy Wall Street Get Ridiculed

Celebrities throwing their stars onto the Occupy Wall Street bandwagon aren't always getting the warm reception they had hoped for. Alec Baldwin, for example, got hassled by both the Left and the Right during his visit to New York's Zuccotti Park, the movement's epicenter.

Some criticism is to be expected, according to publicist Howard Bragman, "There's a lot of empathy in the entertainment industry for the poor and middle class. But with the message constantly changing among the protesters, no one knows where this is all going to end up. And celebrities are wealthy people, they have to be careful not to seem disingenuous."

Baldwin, best known for playing corporate exec Jack Donaghy on NBC's 30 Rock, was attacked by the Left because he also stars in ads for Capital One (COF). According to The New York Daily News, one internet commentator said, "He's a [bleep-]ing hack for taking the gig, even if he did give the money away." (Baldwin later tweeted that he donated all money from the Cap One gig to charity.)
Meanwhile, back at the other end of the political spectrum, supporters of Rep. Ron Paul hounded Baldwin during his visit because he doesn't support getting rid of the Federal Reserve and wouldn't endorse Paul's presidential bid. (Guys, do you really want his endorsement?)

As for his own opinions, Baldwin told the protesters:

I don't want the capital markets to be dismantled. I think capitalism is worthwhile, and capitalism demands the flow of money. ... The banks are going to do what the banks do. And you want the banks to do what banks do. But when the banks [act] like they are a hockey player that starts throwing their elbow in your eye socket, you want the SEC to throw the flag. The SEC never throws the flag.

It's a very strange moment in American history when Alec Baldwin is one of the moderate voices in the political debate.

Given the incredible diversity of opinion at the protests, celebs better not expect everyone to think its great that they stopped by (although that same diversity also guarantees that someone will). It is worth noting that in addition to the people who barked at Baldwin, there were many who voiced support for his opinions and appreciated him coming out on what was a cold, rainy night.

Here's just a few of the stars who've thrown themselves down among the protesters.

Image: mediate.com
Next: The gallery of celebrities
Related:

• Evicting Wall Street Protesters Would Be a Disaster for Bloomberg
• If Occupy Wall Street Doesn't Matter, Why Are the Powerful So Nervous?
• Occupy Wall Street and the Original Tea Party Are Two Sides of a Red Hot Coin
• The Economic Recovery Isn't In Trouble -- It Just Never Really Existed

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