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by Lucy Yang
Thousands of teachers, firefighters and police officers swarmed City Hall.
Lucy Yang reports from Lower Manhattan, to explain what this demonstration is all about.
The city's bravest, finest and brightest linked arms outside City Hall for a triple-header. Hoping that by joining forces their message will carry more weight in contract negotiations.
The rally began just before 5:00, and there appeared to be thousands of protestors gathered here by City Hall. The rally's theme is "Invest in Our Future," and that is the message New York City school teachers, police officers and firefighters want to send to Mayor Bloomberg.
Michael Moughrabie was a New York City police officer before switching to the fire department six months ago. He says he won't be able to move out of his parents' basement until wages take a serious hike.
Michael Moughrabie, FDNY: "There's money put out to the stadiums, I think there should be a budget for cops, the firefighters and teachers."
Tom Dillon, NYPD: "Prices are going up here in this city. Milk alone, gasoline... and we just want a little money so we could spend it on our families, and stay here in the city, instead of leaving to go to other municipalities."
Public school teachers have been without a contract for a year now, the police and fire departments for two years. They believe Bloomberg can find the funds if he really tried.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg: "I will say that I'm thrilled to read in the paper that our bravest and the finest are going to protest together. Who said there's a battle of the badges? It shows they really can cooperate."
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