'No oligarchs for president': Anti-Bloomberg protester challenges Fischer at State of City

Mayor Greg Fischer's annual State of the City event was disrupted Thursday with a protester shouting at him over his endorsement for president.

While responding to a question about his endorsement of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the Democratic presidential nomination, a man in the audience began shouting in protest.

Mike Gamms, who was filming the interaction, hurled criticisms about Bloomberg's role in expanding controversial stop-and-frisk policies during his tenure as mayor.

"Eighty-eight percent of the people affected by stop-and-frisk were innocent, and you're going to sit here ... and say Michael Bloomberg is the choice for president," Gamms yelled.

"No oligarchs for president!" he continued.

Background: Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer to co-chair Michael Bloomberg's presidential campaign

Fischer announced his support for Bloomberg, a former Republican, in November. He is a co-chair for Bloomberg's national campaign.

Speaking from a podium stationed across the room, Fischer continued speaking throughout the protest.

Gamms wrote in tweets after the speech that he traveled to Louisville from New York to tell Fischer "that Bloomberg is a racist oligarch who destroyed NY with Stop and Frisk (amongst other things)."

"Literally everything that came out of Greg Fischer’s mouth today was complete bulls—t," Gamms said in a tweet. "What audacity to talk about income inequality and community / police relations while working for Michael Bloomberg’s campaign."

In an interview with The Courier Journal, Gamms said was in Louisville to perform in a stand-up comedy gig and caught wind of the event earlier on Thursday. He said he "felt obligated to say something" at the event due to Fischer's ties to Bloomberg.

Gamms added that he didn't have an exact plan on how to confront Fischer. However, when someone asked the Louisville mayor about his support for Bloomberg and Fischer praised Bloomberg's accomplishments, "I just couldn't hold it in anymore," Gamms said.

"Those people in that room in particular needed to hear that," Gamms said. "I hope that it makes Greg Fischer think long and hard about his support of Michael Bloomberg and make the people of Louisville think real hard about their support of Greg Fischer."

Fischer spokeswoman Jean Porter did not provide The Courier Journal with a comment when reached by phone.

Fischer had just concluded his State of the City address at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA at 18th and Broadway before taking questions from those gathered in the room.

Fischer, a Democrat in his third term as Louisville's mayor, previously told The Courier Journal he was supporting Bloomberg for his "unique combination of world-leading political, business, and philanthropic experience makes him ready to be President from Day One."

Previously: Mayor Fischer backs former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg's Democratic presidential bid

Since announcing his candidacy for U.S. president, Bloomberg has drawn criticism from opponents of stop-and-frisk policing, which expanded under his during his time as New York City mayor, from 2002 to 2013.

The policy, which disproportionately affected young black and Latino men, allowed police officers to stop and frisk anyone they suspected of criminal activity.

During his term as mayor, the use of stop-and-frisk in New York City increased dramatically, with a total of 5,081,689 stops recorded by police during Bloomberg's tenure, The New York Times has reported.

In November, Bloomberg apologized for the policy when speaking to a black church in Brookyln.

“I can’t change history,” Bloomberg said. “However today, I want you to know that I realize back then I was wrong.”

A Bloomberg campaign representative said in a statement that with his Greenwood Initiative, the former New York mayor "is committed to increasing opportunity, visibility and equality for every human being in America."

This story is developing and will be updated.

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.