Wall Street Bailout Protest

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com Posted on 17 Oct 2008Hundreds of protesters, tourists and area employees gathered on the steps of Federal Hall in front of the New York Stock Exchange Thursday to hear consumer advocate Ralph Nader and community leaders speak out in protest over the $700 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of troubled financial giants.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com The event's MC, the Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping, rallies the crowd in evangelical style.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com An orchestra of horn-playing musicians lined the stairs of Federal Hall in support of the protest.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com A protester holds a replica Bennington 1776 flag over the steps of Federal Hall.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com One of many protester signs calling for action against pro-bailout interests.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com A protester with a message.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com Independent presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, also the event's organizer, speaks about his four-point plan to reverse the bailout. Nader's running mate, former San Francisco public defender Matt Gonzalez, was on hand.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com A Nader/Gonzalez campaign sign held high above the steps of Federal Hall with the NYSE in view.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com Protesters with anti-bailout signs in front of the New York Stock Exchange.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com Arizona activist, the Reverend Jarrett Maupin, calls for aid for the working class and needy students.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com At the end of the rally, protesters pulled in an enormous pink inflated elephant representing the excess of the Bush administration.

Photo: Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com >> Replay Slideshow>> London G20 Protest Slideshow>> G20 - How They Want To Fight the Crisis

© 2009 MSNBC Interactive