Hundreds arrested in anti-Wall Street protest
More than 700 people have been arrested during anti-Wall Street protests in the US. Police were forced to close the Brooklyn Bridge as campaigners marched across it without permission.
The arrests took place when a large group of marchers, participating in a second week of protests by the Occupy Wall Street movement, broke off from others on the bridge’s pedestrian walkway and headed across the Brooklyn-bound lanes.
The group is protesting against corporate greed and claim they are defending 99 per cent of the US population against the wealthiest 1 per cent.
A police spokesman said: “Over 700 summonses and desk appearance tickets have been issued in connection with a demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge late this afternoon after multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway, and that if they took roadway they would be arrested.”
“Some complied and took the walkway without being arrested. Others proceeded on the Brooklyn-bound vehicular roadway. The bridge was re-opened to traffic at 8:05 pm”
Most of those who were arrested were taken into custody off the bridge, issued summonses and released.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene on the famous suspension bridge as a sea of police officers surrounded the protesters using orange mesh netting.
Some protesters tried to get away as officers started handcuffing members of the group. Dozens of protesters were seen handcuffed and sitting on the span as three buses were called in to take them away, witnesses and organizers said.
The march started about 3:30pm from the protesters’ camp in Zuccotti Park in downtown Manhattan near the former World Trade Center. Members of the group have vowed to stay at the park through the winter.
The bridge was reopened on Saturday evening.