ATLANTA (AP) - Several hundred people gathered in a downtown Atlanta park, joining anti-Wall Street protesters nationwide.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/qEXG0G ) that the unstructured Occupy Atlanta group in Woodruff Park voiced opposition to corporate greed, the war in Afghanistan and a collection of other differences. The demonstration was an outgrowth of protests in hundreds of cities growing from the Occupy Wall Street rallies that started last month.

The gatherings have drawn criticism from a some, including U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor who called them "mobs."

They have also drawn praise from experienced organizers including union leaders and long-time activists. U.S. Rep. John Lewis. The Georgia Democrat, said in a statement Friday "their activism is inspiring."