Despite heavy police intimidation thousands of people turned up to demonstrat against the World Economic Forum meeting in New York. Mainstream media reports however have downplayed the event, stating that fewer than a thousand people showed up for the event.

Waving placards and carrying banners demanding everything from human rights in Palestine, an end to the war, fair wages for workers, better environmental practices, and an end to police brutality, thousands of people took to the streets of New York to protest against the World Economic Forum earlier today.

Estimates on the number of people who attended demonstrations vary greatly. CNN grossly underestimated when it reported that there were "almost 1,000" protestors at the event, while organizers went the other way and estimated that there were between 25 and 30 thousand protestors. People on the ground generally peg the figure to have been between 10 and 20 thousand people.

"You deserve a tremendous amount of credit for being here," said Michael Letwin, a New York, anti-war, union . "Not only did you come from all across the country, and many of you from around the world, as well as New York city, but you did so in the face of a sustained attempt to intimidate protestors.

"Day after day the press has argued that this was going to be a disruptive event, a dangerous event, an event that people should not really have the right to be part off. You showed by being here today that you will not allow yourself to be intimidated. Will you?"

The answer from the crowd was a resounding "NO!."

"People protesting on the streets of New York City you are opposing the global corporate elite gathered to decide our common future behind the fortress of the World Economic Forum," said another speaker. "We urge the authorities to protect these fundamental rights of free-speech and assembly and the world will be watching closely."

The demonstration was largely peaceful though there are reports that 30 people were arrested. The reasons for the arrests are not clear. There are also unconfirmed reports that protestors were trying to break down a barrier somewhere near the hotel where the members of the World Economic Forum are meeting.

Another demonstration is planned for tonight outside the New York Stock Exchange where the WEF will be having a party. Globalizing Justice has flagged the event as "red" meaning they expect there could be violence.