FLINT, Michigan — The Occupy Wall Street movement is spreading to Flint.

Demonstrators will gather at noon Friday in front of the Bank of America building at Saginaw and First streets.

Flint resident Patrick Hardin, spokesman for the Occupy Flint group, said the main reason for the local demonstration is to show solidarity with protesters on Wall Street where demonstrations started Sept. 17 to speak out against corporate greed and economic inequality. Protests have since spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and other cities.

“If the occupation occurred only on Wall Street, it would be easy to do what the media did initially did which was ignore it and label these people malcontents,” said Hardin, 57. “Ordinary Americans are fed up. We’re not going to tolerate our elected officials serving Big Money at the expense of the people.”

More than 300 people have indicated on the Occupy Flint Facebook page that they will attend the gathering. Food donations will also be collected to be turned over to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

Hardin said the issues in Washington and Wall Street, including tax cuts for the wealthy and the collapse of the housing market, have trickled down to affect Flint, especially public safety, where 66 police officers were laid off in 2010.

“The city administration is left in a position where they can’t do anything but cut people and benefits,” Hardin said. “It’s left towns like Flint with one option and that’s the wrong option.”

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said he didn’t object to the protest, as long as it does not get unruly. Protesters in other communities have been arrested recently, including more than 100 Tuesday in Boston and Washington, D.C.

“The City of Flint encourages the exercise of free speech and expects this to be a peaceful democratic demonstration,” Walling said.

Police Chief Alvern Lock said the city is prepared for the demonstration.

“It is common for the City of Flint to have large events downtown and the Flint Police Department is prepared to respond if necessary,” he said.

Hardin said he welcomes police, considering them “participants. He became involved in the movement because of his roots and the future of his family.

“I’m an American. That’s how I got involved,” he said. “I’m a father, I’m a grandfather now. My son does not have the opportunities that I had. If things continue on the same track...(my grandson) will not have the opportunities my son had and that’s really unnecessary.”