Despite pressure on local officials from Governot Andrew Cuomo’s administration, protesters from the Albany version of the Occupy Wall Street movement remain in Academy Park. But they’re not happy that Cuomo’s top aide leaned on Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings to end the protest.

“The events over the weekend with him trying to stifle the Occupy Albany movement were disconcerting and that some of his key staff people were trying to shut this down and it seems like he’s trying to stifle democracy when it doesn’t agree with him,” said Ron Deutsche, New Yorkers For Fiscal Fairness Executive Director.

“I think it’s kind of wrong. We have a right to assembly peacefully as long as we’re not violating the. It’s a public park with a curfew that our tax dollars paid for, so it’s kind of a Catc-22 there,” protester Eric Egnor.

But by injecting himself into what was essentially local protest against corporate greed, the governor has given the protesters a larger platform, including their support for increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, a position Cuomo opposes.

“Certainly he resisted it last time when we negotiated the budget, although I think the political pressure is mounting now,” said Assembly Majority leader Ron Canestrari.

The governor sided with Senate Republicans during the last budget cycle to allow a surcharge on those making $250,000 and more to expire. He’s also opposed to keeping the tax in place for millionaires.

“It’s common sense, if you raise taxes 31 percent, which is what this was, people who have a great deal of discretion over where they work, some of them will decide where to live and how they earn their income,” said Empire Center Deputy Director EJ McMahon.

In a radio interview with his predecessor, former Governor David Paterson, Cuomo said he was fine with the protests as long as they follow the law.

“We believe in the right to demonstrate. We also believe in the rule of law and we enforce the law,” Cuomo said.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, meanwhile, said he would continue to let the protesters reside in the park.

“I’ve known Andrew Cuomo for a long time. I want him to respect what I’m doing as a mayor just as like I respect what he’s doing as governor,” Jennings said.

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