Occupy Albany demonstrators arrested in minimum wage protest

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

Six Occupy Albany demonstrators have been led away from the Capitol in handcuffs during a protest supporting a higher minimum wage.

The protesters entered and refused to leave the office of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. The Republican opposes the wage increase, saying it would be a job killer.

Occupy and other progressive groups support a bill backed by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that would raise the minimum to $8.50 an hour from the current $7.25.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he supports a higher minimum wage. But he’s coming under increasing pressure from demonstrators who feel he isn’t doing enough to lobby the Senate Republicans.

Cuomo is closely allied with the Republicans on fiscal matters.

The protesters are expected to be charged with disorderly conduct.