Rapper Kanye West, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and the Rev. Al Sharpton made impromptu appearances at the Occupy Wall Street protest in New York City on Oct. 10.
According to the Associated Press, the celebrities joined protestors in Zucotti Park to demonstrate their support.
“I just walked @KanyeWest the #occupywallstreet. I love how sweet and tolerant he was to the crowd,” Simmons tweeted, according to Manhattan’s DNA.com. “His presence matters. #OccupyWallStreet. Celebrities have no real value except to use it to help others.”
For nearly a month, thousands of protestors have demonstrated around the park, fighting for the 99 percent or the majority of Americans who are not a part of the wealthiest one percent of the population. The demonstrations have spurred similar movements in other cities throughout the country.
The growing number of protestors in New York City has prompted the city’s police department to beef up patrols in several areas.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed his views on the demonstrations during a recent press conference.
“The bottom line is that people want to express themselves, and as long as they obey the laws, we allow them to,” Bloomberg told reporters, according the AP. “If they break the laws, then we’re going to do what we’re supposed to do–enforce the laws.”