A number of religious groups have announced their support for the anti-Wall street demonstrations taking place in New York, but when it comes to the movement's spiritual leader, one man stands out.

Bill Talen, who goes by the name of Reverend Billy, is an activist and not an ordained minister.

Long before the indebted and disenfranchised began occupying a park in New York's financial district, Reverend Billy was preaching against major corporataions in the US like Starbucks, Wal-Mart and now Bank of America.

Police have arrested him dozens of times, but for him, the growing popularity of the Occupy Wall Street demonstration validates all he believes in.

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from New York.