SEATTLE -- Dozens of people from the Occupy Seattle protest and from a labor protest demonstrated outside an appearance by Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney Thursday morning.
Escorted by police, about 50 protesters made the walk of a few blocks from Westlake Park to the Grand Hyatt Hotel where the former Massachusetts governor was holding a private fundraiser. Some people passing by teased the protesters while others voiced support.
They carried signs that said, "This is class warfare," "Make Wall Street pay," and "Romney is the 1 percent" -- a reference to what the demonstrators describe as the concentration of wealth among a small slice of the population.
They also chanted "Corporations are not people," disputing a statement Romney made at the Iowa State Fair.
After the fundraiser, Romney was scheduled to discuss trade policy at Microsoft before heading to Portland, Ore., for an appearance Friday.
Romney is the first 2012 GOP presidential candidate to visit Washington for a campaign event. President Barack Obama visited the Seattle area last month for fundraising stops.
Romney has said he is prepared to confront China on trade issues, such as currency valuation and intellectual property. He said in a debate earlier this week that leaders need to stand up to China or prepare to be run over by China.
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