Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app. Or follow Greater East End on Instagram.
Video shows protesters confronting diners at the Hamptons landmark before getting dragged out
Hamptons diners were interrupted this weekend when climate activists stormed The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, chanting “Tax the rich” and accusing patrons of funding “a fascist regime.”
The protest was staged by Planet Over Profit, a New York City–based group that has joined a larger coalition of progressive organizations planning a march through East Hampton on Sunday.
The marchers will be looking to target “billionaire donors” who summer on the South Fork.
Inside the dining room
Video posted to X on Saturday by Planet Over Profit shows a young man walking into the crowded dining room and shouting:
“You’re all here in the Hamptons enjoying $200 caviar as though your money isn’t funding an actual fascist regime disappearing your neighbors. Shame on you.”
He and several others then began chanting “Tax the rich. Tax the motherf—ing rich,” before being dragged to the porch by the waitstaff.
The video post also alleges one of the patrons followed the melee outside and kicked a protestor in the neck.
The clip ends with some of the involved protesters laughing, smiling and fastening their seatbelts as they drive away before police arrive.
Planet Over Profit posted the video with the caption: “We confronted the 1% in one of the Hamptons’ most expensive restaurants. They kicked us in the neck … They can’t get away with it.”
We confronted the 1% in one of the Hampton's most expensive restaurants. They kicked us in the neck.
— Planet Over Profit (@pop4climate) August 30, 2025
These are the people responsible for installing this fascist regime. The dystopian world Trump is making is a paradise for them, and them alone.
They can't get away with it. pic.twitter.com/mZniS6DdT6
Reaction to the restaurant protest has been divided.
“The rich are already taxed and contributing way more than you or your organization does. Lazy bastards,” wrote one X user.
Another commenter sympathized: “Too bad about the wait staff, hopelessly confused as to which side they’re on. WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE.”
A bigger campaign
The restaurant action was part of a weekend of protests billed as “Workers Over Billionaires.” Organizers said they are directly confronting billionaire donors who have helped fund not only President Donald Trump’s campaigns, but also former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Eric Adams — both of whom are running in New York City’s 2025 mayoral race
On Saturday, demonstrators staged a protest outside hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman’s $23 million Hamptons estate, according to a press release. Ackman has poured millions into Trump-aligned political action committees and recently emerged as a national voice against diversity and equity programs, the release reads. Other targets include Estee Lauder heir William Lauder, media mogul Barry Diller and hedge funders Ron Lauder, Ken Griffin and Daniel Loeb.
March through East Hampton
Sunday’s march is set to include a symbolic “house tour” of billionaire estates, followed by a rally at Cooper’s Beach. Protesters are expected to carry what’s described as a massive banner reading “Cut Billionaires, Save America,” along with tombstone props, pitchforks and oversized portraits of wealthy political donors, according to the release.
The coalition also unveiled a new database called the Department of Class Solidarity (DOCS) — billed as a permanent “war room” tracking nearly 1,000 billionaires, their wealth, corporate holdings and political spending.
The involved organizations, according to the release, include Our Revolution, Strong Economy For All, 50-50 One, Planet Over Profit, New York Communities for Change, LittleSis, Greenpill, “and allied grassroots groups.”
— all images above are screen shots of the Planet Over Profit video posted to X.
