The grass-roots social-protest movement known as Occupy Phoenix took its first steps toward an ongoing presence in the city with a raucous but orderly march through downtown Friday.

The demonstration attracted a few hundred people, from teens to seniors, who chanted anti-bank slogans and waved placards attacking Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, big business and the wealthy.

'Occupy Phoenix' protest photos

The marchers snaked past the high-rise offices of Wells Fargo, Chase and Bank of America, with a noisy stop outside the 12 News studio inside a building shared with The Arizona Republic.

The demonstration snarled traffic at a few intersections but proceeded under the watchful eye of police, offering an opportunity for dozens of drivers and bystanders to snap photos with their cellphones.

Many marchers vowed to show up today at noon at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 201 W. Washington St., for what could be the first day of a prolonged assembly, following the path of ongoing Occupy demonstrations in New York and other cities.

One of the more tense moments came when marchers held open the doors of a Bank of America branch at the Collier Center and chided stern-faced security personnel with anti-bank chants. But the protesters made no effort to enter.

Rally participants vented a litany of frustrations focused on jobs, foreclosures, the rich-poor dividend and corporate political influence.

They waved posters attacking bankers and the Fed, with some placards favoring peace, marijuana and even singer Bob Dylan for president.

Brenda Horwoth, a 65-year-old Tempe woman who said she was laid off more than a year ago, said she hoped the movement would put pressure on banks to halt foreclosures, compel wealthy Americans to pay more taxes and persuade businesses to boost hiring.

She was joined by her daughter, Rhonda Buhr, a 44-year-old casino blackjack dealer from Maricopa, who voiced support for livable-wage policies.

"I'm tired of CEOs making millions or billions while everyday workers are earning the minimum wage," Buhr said.

Paige Maglio of Phoenix, who was joined by 22-year-old daughter Liz, expressed a common frustration that, following bailouts, bank heads continued to pull huge bonuses while many everyday Americans lost their homes.

Patrick Solomon, a 19-year-old janitor from Surprise, said he hoped the Occupy movement would result in campaign-funding reform that would crimp the influence of corporations.

Gilbert student Marco Sanchez, 19 - one of the first people to grab a bullhorn at the event - said today's assembly will feature music and other cultural diversions in addition to demonstrations.