On 6th anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, protesters and police clash at Ziccotti Park

Marking the sixth month anniversary of the Occupy Movement that started in New York, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Zuccotti Park, where they were met with police.  Some of the protesters had arrived with sleeping bags, planning to camp out under a tarp set up at the park.  Police tore the tarp down and barricaded the park, reportedly punching and arresting people in the process.  The Occupy Movement writes at their website,

Yesterday, on the 6-month anniversary of the original Occupation of Wall Street, #OWS went back to our origins. After a weekend of marches on Wall Street complete with spring training exercises, a St. Patrick´s Day march, street theater, floating tents, and dancing in the intersections, Liberty Square was re-occupied by thousands of Occupy supporters. Unfortunately, bringing back memories of November 15th, NYPD violently evicted us from our home once again while Occupiers were hugging old friends and celebrating the coming of spring in the park.

According to the New York Times, ¨scores¨ were arrested, and more injured, during the attack. Police used city buses to corral mass-arrested protesters. Media were not allowed to cover the events. After clearing the Square, NYPD placed barricades around the area – an act specifically barred by previous legal action. At least one person was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. We have also heard reports of seizures and broken bones. On Livestream, peaceful protesters are seen being tackled, punched, stomped, choked, hit with batons, and thrown against cars for no reason other than sitting down to peacefully protest inequality in a public park. At around 3:40 minutes into the following video (see video on Occupy link above), watch as NYPD slams a medic´s head against a glass window and shatters it.

The Occupy Movement camp at the park was dismantled pursuant to a court order last November.  Protesters were allowed to the park so long as they were not sleeping there and setting up their tents.

USA Today reports that 73 persons were arrested and an unknown number remain in custody today.

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D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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