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More than 100 protesters from New York City community organizations made their way up to Albany Wednesday to send Governor Andrew Cuomo a message: "tax the rich, not the poor."

As part of their demonstration, participants blocked all exits to the State Street entrance of the Capitol in an effort to get arrested for their cause.

In all, 17 protesters were taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct.

“The arrest signifies our passion," said Vocal New York Leader Wanda Hernandez.

While less dramatic, the message was the same to lawmakers in other parts of the building, as union leaders argued against Cuomo’s proposed layoffs of 9,800 state workers.

"I don’t know how we make the neediest people suffer the most and we still extent a tax credit to the wealthiest," said CSEA Legislative & Political Action Director Fran Turner.

While Cuomo administration officials say they hope to reach an agreement with the unions prior to April 1st before they put a layoff plan in motion.

"We will look at every opportunity to avert layoffs. If we fail to achieve, or fall short of the $450 million in savings that would result in a headcount reduction," said New York State Director of State Operations Howard Glaser.

Both the governor and senate Republicans have made it clear they no longer want to fall back on taxes to solve the state’s fiscal problems.

“No, no, no new taxes," said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

Assembly Democrats plan to extend the tax on wealthy New Yorkers in their budget proposal. And there’s sure to be more protests until a final agreement is reached.