Occupy Wall Street‘s May 1 New York City protest extravaganza was filled with incredible speeches, drum circles, short and sweet performances and, best of all, wacky characters with incredible signs.

HyperVocal spent the hot afternoon regretting its raincoat and sweater and talking to anyone who wasn’t being pushed forward by the throngs of people packing Union Square. Some were pushing their way out, some were trying to get a better view of Dan Deacon and Tom Morello, some were pissed about unemployment and student loans and the struggles of undocumented-immigrant laborers, and some were simply curious.

Here are our favorite sightings: