Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Massive Protest Against State Budget Draws 50,000 to City Hall
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 6, 2009
Modified Mar 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 6, 2009
Modified Mar 6, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Thousands of teachers, health care workers, labor unions, and community groups held rallies across New York State yesterday to protest Governor Paterson's budget proposal, which would slash approximately $2.5 billion in education funding, $3.2 billion in health care, and cut billions from programs for senior services, disability services, housing assistance and crisis intervention programs. In downtown Manhattan, rally organizers say some 50,000 people assembled around City Hall, and the crowds forced the NYPD to reduce Broadway to one lane and close side streets.
Jumbo-trons were set up so protesters in the back of the crowd could watch and hear the speakers, many of whom called for "fair tax reform," demanding tax hikes on New Yorkers who earn more than $250,000 per year. Website Urban Elephants has a report from the rally, and argues that "over the past thirty years New York has cut its tax rate for the wealthiest residents by 50% and reduced its top tax rate to 6.85% for anyone earning over $40,000 per year. Such an anomaly has created a tax system where someone making above $40,000 per year pays the same marginal tax rate as someone earning $4 million."
United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten explained the tax reform demand to the crowd: "For those of you who prosper during boom time, we ask them pay a little bit more. Pay a little more so New York can avoid cutting the services that our most vulnerable need." And China Lankford of Jamaica, Queens, sent a message to the governor via Channel 2: "Governor Paterson, I wish you could have an open heart that we are going to suffer if this budget cut goes through."
Tagged
budget
cuts
march 5 2005
new york
paterson
protest
rally
recession
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY's housing crisis is on the ballot. Here's what the candidates say they'll do about it.
Housing costs are top of mind for many voters across New York.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway is a haven for reckless driving. Mamdani isn't allowed to fix it.
City data shows seven people have been killed and 74 were seriously injured in crashes along the street over the last five years.
By
Stephen Nessen
News
Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway is a haven for reckless driving. Mamdani isn't allowed to fix it.
City data shows seven people have been killed and 74 were seriously injured in crashes along the street over the last five years.
By
Stephen Nessen
Man killed in police-involved shooting in Moonachie, NJ
By
Kaya Laterman
Queens man took girlfriend’s body to beach in a wagon, where it remained for 5 days
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends NYC racial equity leader's term after Council pushes back on replacement
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .