Mayor Bloomberg says business owners and residents in Lower Manhattan feel they're the ones being occupied by the Wall Street protest.
"This isn't an occupation of Wall Street, it's the occupation of a growing, vibrant, residential neighborhood in Lower Manhattan and it's really hurting small businesses and families," Bloomberg said Wednesday.
The protest is in its seventh week.
Bloomberg says the city has worked hard to preserve the First Amendment rights of the Zuccotti Park protesters.
"But other people have rights too and I am very concerned about their rights as well as those of the protesters," he said.
He says the city will take action if and when it's appropriate.
His statements come a day after area politicians asked the city to enforce laws against excessive noise and public urination.
The elected officials also said they sympathized with the protesters and considered it important their rights be protected.
