Protesters arrested outside Goldman Sachs

Occupy Wall Street protesters get arrested in front of Goldman Sachs headquarters in Battery Park City after they held a mock trial against the company at Zuccoti Park and marched to the building with their guilty verdict. Approximately 15-20 protesters were arrested in an act of civil disobedience.

At least 15 Occupy Wall Street protesters were arrested Thursday after marching on Goldman Sachs to deliver an “indictment” of the financial giant.

Among the demonstrators hauled away after sitting down in front of the multinational’s doors at 200 West St. was former New York Times foreign correspondent-turned-activist Chris Hedges.

The anti-fat cat demonstrators had staged a “people’s trial” of Goldman Sachs at their base in Zuccotti Park, accusing the firm of felony fraud, perjury and “theft of $78 billion in taxpayer money.”

At noon, about 300 marched eight blocks to the firm’s HQ to deliver their “verdict” of guilty and to demand the imprisonment of CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

On the way, they chanted “Goldman Sucks.”

The marchers, led by four drummers, stretched a city block.

Some construction workers sitting along Church Street gave them thumbs up and a businessman on Murray Street muttered to himself, “What a bunch of idiots."

The NYPD didn’t move in until about 15 protesters sat down and linked arms, blocking the lobby entrance.

As they were arrested, onlookers chanted “shame!” and "the criminals are inside!"

There were some scuffles as cops dragged the protesters away, handcuffed them with flex-ties and put them in a police van.

One young man yelled out, “this is only helping our movement!"

"This is just the beginning. It's going to get worse,” said protester Gary Witt, 60, of Marlton, N.J.

It was the second day in a row that Occupy Wall Street had marched on the investment bank.

On Wednesday, word that former President George W. Bush was visiting the building led protesters to gather outside chanting “Arrest George Bush.”

The protesters and former president did not meet.

The Occupy Wall Street protest that began 47 days ago as a general cry of anger at financial inequality has spread around the world.

On Wednesday, protesters staged a general strike in Oakland, Ca., shutting down the city’s port. The night ended in a mini-riot as a handful of people threw rocks and set fires.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people vow they will close their accounts with the big Wall Street banks and transfer their money to community credit unions to protest high fees and trading shenanigans.