Thursday, November 17, 2011

Mass arrests at Occupy Wall Street protests

According to the BBC, Occupy Wall Street demonstrators have converged on two public squares in New York after a day of protest that has seen solidarity rallies across the US. Activists attempted to "occupy" New York subway stations during rush hour and earlier they marched through the financial district. About 175 people were arrested in clashes with riot police as trouble flared near the stock exchange.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said five police officers had minor injuries. He told a news conference one policeman's hand was cut and four others had liquid - possibly vinegar - thrown at them.

Protesters were hoping to march on New York's Brooklyn Bridge on Thursday evening.

The protesters are on the move; they've marched to subway stations across the city, and are starting to rally now in Foley Square. Unions are due to be marching with them. A key question - what will happen when the protesters try to march over the Brooklyn Bridge tonight? That's where 700 were arrested back at the beginning of October. The confrontation drew the world's attention to this movement against income inequality and corporate excess.

The NYPD say the protesters can march on the pedestrian walkway but not the roadway - Occupy Wall Street protesters tell me that sometimes civil disobedience is necessary to demonstrate against inequality. Police were out in force, trying to pen in protesters with barricades and ordering marchers to stay off the traffic lanes…

Read about rallies across the US at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15784439

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