New Yorkers Take Over State Capitol to Protest State Budget
Last night over 1,000 parents, students and community members occupied the State Capitol in Albany to protest a devastating state budget that slashes $1 billion from schools and millions from social services, while cutting taxes for the rich. Although sessions are traditionally open to the public, Governor Cuomo ordered state troopers to close the chambers to the public (see photo below). Senator Kevin Parker observed that it was the first time in his 9 years in office that the public wasn’t allowed in the chambers for a legislative session. Cuomo was aiming to pass the budget before midnight, which would have made him the first Governor since his father to pass an early budget. However, because of the massive protests, the budget did not pass the Assembly until after 1am. 450 people slept in meeting rooms on the concourse, and Senator Eric Adams brought his pillow and