October 10, 2011 7:37 AM

"Occupy Wall Street" now in 25 cities

By
Bigad Shaban
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Occupy Wall Street protests

The movement known as "Occupy Wall Street" has spread far beyond its starting point in lower Manhattan. CBS News correspondent Bigad Shaban reports that it now has offshoots in 25 cities nationwide, and political leaders from both sides are weighing in.

From D.C. to Alabama to Portland, demonstrators protest everything from corporate greed to joblessness to economic inequality.

Back in N.Y., 39-year-old Jesse LaGreca is one of the more prominent voices.

"You've got people here being told they need to face a lower standard of living, that we can't pay the wages that we used to enjoy, that the promises that were made to our grandparents are going to be broken," LaGreca said.

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World War II veteran Edward Davis and his wife, Esther, are both in their 80s, and remember marching for equality during the civil rights movement. This, they say, is just as historic for struggling Americans.

"Not only the young but the middle class and older people, it hurts, it hurts to see all of these young people -- you know, graduating and can't get a job," Esther said.

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"The greatest country in the world, you know, that people should be wondering what is going to be tomorrow, something is wrong," Edward said.

But some who work on Wall Street find the attacks too extreme.

"If they're wearing a tie, it automatically makes them a Nazi Wall Street banker. Getting spit on because you're wearing a tie, or even if you do make money, and you're getting spit on, or you're doing better than others, you don't deserve to get spit on, you work hard, you get paid," said New York Stock Exchange trader Jason Weisberg.

In Washington, reaction over the movement seemed split along party lines.

"I support the message to the establishment, whether it's Wall Street or the political establishment and the rest, that change has to happen," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"I regard the Wall Street protest as a natural outcome of a bad education system, teaching them really dumb ideas," said GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

While the protesters admit they've yet to fully develop their goals, they all agree, they're here to stay.

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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