Hundreds of protesters gathered outside billionaires' Hamptons mansions to demand a wealth tax

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Hundreds of New Yorkers wielding pitchforks marched through the Hamptons Thursday, demanding that Gov. Andrew Cuomo raise the taxes of the area's ultrawealthy vacationers.

Over 200 attended the march that was organized by a coalition of activist groups including New York Communities for Change, New York Communities for Change, News Guild (CWA), and Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, according to a statement emailed to Business Insider.

The economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus crisis has strengthened calls for a wealth tax, especially in New York, where Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex has proposed a special state tax on the ultrawealthy. The proposal has the support of at least 83 ultrawealthy people, including Ben & Jerry's cofounder Jerry Greenfield and Disney heiress Abigail Disney, who penned an open letter arguing that such a tax would "ensure we adequately fund our health systems, schools, and security ... immediately. Substantially. Permanently."

Cuomo shot down the idea, saying that it would drive New York's 118 billionaires out of state. At the same time, the governor announced cuts to state funding for schools, public housing, and hospitals amid a budget crisis brought on by the coronavirus crisis, sparking protests. Thursday's march was the second protest in the Hamptons featuring pitchforks this month. The pitchforks used in the July 1 event were plastic ones purchased from a Halloween store, Patch reported at the time.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-pitchfork-wielding-protesters-gathered-164900152.html