Cake-Wielding Protesters Crash Cuomo's Birthday Fundraiser

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Dozens of protesters crowded the front and back entrances of Central Park South's ritzy Essex House hotel on Wednesday night, forcing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sneak into his own birthday fundraiser.

Armed with a cake that read "make billionaire's pay" and decked out in party hats protesters called on the governor to raise taxes on the wealthy to fund progressive policies such as the Green New Deal, a housing guarantee and free public college.

Inside Essex House, the governor's supporters attended a "birthday celebration" where tickets cost as much as $5,000 to be considered a "friend" of the governor. Donors could even drop $25,000 for a table for ten and a reception with Cuomo. Comedian Amy Schumer performed a stand up set at the event, the New York Post reported. Cuomo's actual birthday is on Friday, Dec. 26.

Outside on the street, protesters warned Cuomo not to get too confident about his 2022 reelection prospects.

"This governor is collecting funding for his campaign in 2022 because he's so cocky and confident that he's going to win again because he doesn't think that we are paying attention to the BS that he is doing in hurting our communities that are greatly affected by not only climate change but by the lack of educating our people," Jamell Henderson, a four-time CUNY graduate, said.

Henderson added that Cuomo "will not step into our communities" to fundraise but will depend on their votes in the next election.

Wednesday night's protest was organized by a number of advocacy groups including the Sunrise Movement, New York Communities for Change, New York Democratic Socialists of America and the Strong Economy for All Coalition.

"This year we're going to do our jobs, and we're out here to make sure Gov. Cuomo does his. In spite of the $4 million that Gov. Cuomo has received from 49 billionaires, we're going to force him to do what's right by us and make billionaires pay," Charles Khan, organizing director for the Strong Economy for All Coalition, said.

Protesters attempted to hand-deliver the make billionaires pay cake to the Essex House fundraiser, but were promptly shut down by security.

Watch the attempted cake delivery: