Sixteen Seventeen protestors were arrested today in what’s being billed as the first major act of civil disobedience since Gov. Andrew Cuomo took office on Jan. 1.

Some 100 community activists were on hand for the demonstration, chanting slogans like: “Who’s state? Our state!”, “Tax the rich!” and “You say Cuo-mo, we say hell no!” The main issue: Cuomo’s opposition to extending the millionaire’s tax and his proposed education and health care spending cuts.

Here’s some footage that was shot by YNN photographer Ken Deyoe.

Look for the rather amusing halfway point where the protestors obligingly allow people to step over the banners they were using to block access on the State Street side of the Capitol entryway.

The whole situation was rather tame, actually. With troopers basically negotiating with the protestors over whether they wanted to be arrested. Obviously, they did.

Community Voices Heard and VocalNY organized this protest. The individuals who were arrested were charged with disorderly conduct, which is a violation, and are expected to be arraigned in Albany City Court sometime today.

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