Some 500 people, mostly American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 37 members, rallied at City Hall in New York October 4 to protest the pending layoffs of 700 public school employees, mostly school aides, many of them part-time workers. Those marching included members of the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing faculty and staff at the City University of New York.

“I am here to support my brothers and sisters who are getting laid off,” said Mary Smith, a school aide and member of District 37.

About 150 “Occupy Wall Street” protesters joined in support of the action. “I am here to stand up with everyone and say no to the injustices all around us,” commented Rich Drinkwater, a youth from Red Bank, N.J., who came with the Wall Street demonstrators.

—DAN FEIN