Wall Street Protest Grapples With Unsavory Elements

Drug users, parole violators, and freeloaders have turned the Wall Street protests in New York City into a raucous party as they hide in plain sight from the law, according to the New York Post.

“I got warrants. I’m running from the law. I’m not even supposed to be here, but it’s as good a spot as any to hide,” said 24-year-old “Dave,” whom the Post described as “a scrawny, unshaven miscreant in filthy clothes from Stamford, Conn.”

“I’ve been smoking and drinking in here for eight days now,” the Post quoted him as saying as the protest entered its 24th day.

The Post reported open drug sales and one instance of violence in which an alleged drug user punched a volunteer medic in the face.

“We are trying to keep everything calm and work with the police, but there are some crazies in here,” a security volunteer told the paper.

Freeloaders also are taking advantage of donated gourmet eats, said one 26-year-old protester.

“People say they are here for the cause, but the real reason is the free food,” said “Cameron” of Jersey City, N.J. “On my third day, they had smoked salmon with cream cheese. You know how much smoked salmon is a pound? Sixteen dollars. I eat better here than I do with my parents!”