Occupy Wall Street gained some new members on Wednesday as some key significant groups backed their cause. Union workers from Chinatown Tenants Union and the Transit Workers Union joined in, lending some credibility to the movement, which began with some frustrated college students and long-term unemployed individuals.

The liberal group MoveOn.org, and community organizations like the Working Families Party and United NY also showed support and joined Occupy Wall Street. The protests began on September 17 as growing frustration over the state of the economy and spending cuts became too much for some people.

College students flocked to Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan where they have camped out and plan to stay until they see real change. What is being termed the American Autumn is now spreading across the country and enjoying global support. On the west coast, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco are having similar protests.

“We’re really excited that labor is part of the protest,” said Sara Niccoli, spokeswoman for the Labor-Religion Coalition, an Albany, N.Y.-based organization that aims to “do justice” for workers. United NY applied for a permit for the rally on Wednesday so that they could use microphones.

“I think they’re capturing a feel of disempowerment, feeling like nobody is listening to them,” said Camille Rivera, executive director of United NY. “What do you do when no one is listening to you? You speak up, you take action.”

MoveOn.org is planning a “virtual march” on its website by encouraging people to post photos of themselves with the caption: “I’m the 99 percent” – a reference to those people not among the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans and the debate over whether they should be taxed more.

The group’s executive director, Justin Ruben, called the protesters “brave young people” who have successfully inspired others to join them. “From our perspective, we’re protesting kind of the greed that led to the collapse of our economy,” Ruben said. “The fact that these banks aren’t paying their fair share.”

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Occupy Wall Street demonstrations attracted thousands of protesters on Wednesday in the largest day of protests seen yet during the two and a half week occupation of lower Manhattan. Although major media outlets were quiet on Wednesday night, the occupation boosted 15,000 people of all ages, including celebrities such as Michael Moore and Keith Olbermann.

Even though the media initially chose to ignore the growing discontent, Twitter was buzzing with firsthand accounts of the protests. Many protesters reported that police were on in full force, using their pepper spray and zip tie handcuffs on people of all ages, including a 12 year-old girl.

Demonstrators were able to shut down Broadway before the police officers placed barricades up, prohibiting people from entering the street.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich from Ohio released a statement and video on Wednesday offering his support for the movement, one of the first politicians to speak about the growing occupation.

“To the men and women, young and old who are now occupying Wall Street and Main Streets across the country you are the beginnings of a new America. You are in the streets and you are not alone. Millions support your efforts. We know the present system has taken the wealth of our nation and put it into the hands of the few.

Fourteen million Americans out of work. Fifty million without health care. Millions denied a college education because they cannot afford it. Millions losing their homes. Millions of pensions threatened. Dreams crushed by a system will be dreams rescued by your efforts, your commitment, your dedication to a new America,” Kucinich said during his statement. His speech was inspiring to many.

During a Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, D.C. reporters asked Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner if he had any sympathy for the Occupy Wall Street movement. His response was a little too middle of the road, not answering the question.

“No, I feel a lot of sympathy for what you might describe as a general sense among Americans as to whether we’ve lost the sense of possibility — and whether after a pretty bad lost decade … followed by a devastating crisis [and a] huge loss of faith in public institutions, people do wonder whether we have the ability to do things that can help the average sense of opportunity in the country. And I definitely sympathize with that,” he said.

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Saturday, hundreds of protesters who have gathered in New York’s Zuccotti Park since September 17 marched through the streets. Over 700 protesters, including some members of the media, were arrested as Occupy Wall Street protesters blocked the Brooklyn Bridge, snarling traffic.

Police zip tied protesters and loaded them into city buses to transport them to police stations. The protesters received tickets and were released. The protests, which have been harshly criticized by much of American media for being unorganized without demands, are gaining traction.

The protests are spreading throughout the United States like wildfire. Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco all have their own protests taking shape. On Wednesday, college students are organizing a mass student walkout on what is being deemed America’s “Day of Rage.”

On Sunday, Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Laureate economist and professor at Columbia University, visited the large group. During his informal teach-in, Stiglitz points out that New York City does not allow the use of a megaphone or microphone without a permit. “The fact that you are not allowed to use a megaphone on a Sunday is outrageous,” Stiglitz says.

“We have too many regulations stopping democracy, and not enough regulations stopping Wall Street from misbehaving.” Despite the growing noise from protesters, most politicians, including the President, have been silent on the discontent. White House spokesperson Jay Carney was asked on Monday about the president’s reaction to the protests.

“I’m sure he’s aware of it because he follows the news,” Carney said of Obama’s familiarity with the movement, during a briefing. “To the extent that people are frustrated with the economic situation, we understand.” The movement is getting some more support. Mainstream media devoted more serious news time to the protests, even interviewing some leaders of the group on Monday.

Union workers from all over the country are supporting the cause and plan to take part in a march with Occupy Wall Street on Wednesday. The New York City bus drivers, who helped to transport the arrested protesters to police stations, stated they would not help out with any future arrests.

Workhouse Publicity, a Chelsea-based public relations firm, sent unsolicited emails to members of Occupy Wall Street offering to spread the word about the ongoing protests, The New York Daily News reports.

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