Kanye West - Kanye West Joins Russell Simmons At Occupy Wall Street Protest

West briefly joined the protest in Zucotti Park alongside Simmons, who has made regular appearances among the demonstrators.

The rap mogul later tweeted, "I just walked @kanyewest thru the #occupywallstreet. I love how sweet and tolerant he was to the crowd."

But West could not stay long - he was forced to leave when a mob of fans surrounded him.

Fellow rapper Talib Kweli, former couple Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon and documentary maker Michael Moore have thrown their support behind the cause by showing up to meet with initiative leaders.

The Occupy Wall Street campaign, which began three weeks ago in New York, has now spread to 72 U.S. cities.

Most protesters have been left unemployed and homeless by the recession and subsequent economic downturn.