Knife-wielding man attacks Occupy Albuquerque protest (VIDEO)

GlobalPost

Albuquerque police reportedly tasered a man who lunged with a knife at Occupy Albuquerque protesters.

The man, Miguel Aguirre, 48, later told police that their presence was disrespectful to a state university, Reuters reports.

Albuquerque police said protesters felt threatened when Aguirre held a knife with a 6- to 8-inch blade and asked, "Who wants to be first?" CBS News reports.

The Albuquerque demonstration was an offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street movement that began last month in New York, protesting against perceived corporate greed and wealth inequality.

Police said Aguirre was homeless and had told them he was on a days-long drinking binge and did not remember pulling a knife on the protesters.

He was charged with aggravated assault, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and refusing to obey police.

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