Dozens Arrested During Occupy Anniversary

UPDATE: The New York Police Department said it arrested a total of 73 protesters between Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning, although it was unclear how many remained detained Sunday afternoon, notes the Associated Press.

One protester tells Reuters that around 100 police officers moved into Zuccotti Park at around 11:30 p.m. when some began putting up tents. Dozens sat on the ground and were taken into custody when they refused to leave.  

Some protesters said police used physical force to get people to leave the park. “They were beating us and hitting us,” an activist tells the Wall Street Journal. “They came at us with batons and started pushing everyone out of the park.” Another activist tells the AP that police beat several protesters during the arrests.

Sunday, March 18 at 12:01 p.m.: Protesters gathered in New York Saturday to mark the six-month anniversary of the birth of the Occupy Wall Street movement. But police cleared Zuccotti Park late at night before anyone could get too comfortable and arrested those who refused to leave, reports the Associated Press.

There are no official numbers on arrests, but Reuters says “dozens” were handcuffed and 15 people were arrested earlier in the day. Three officers were reportedly injured during the day-long protests that took place when most of the city was focused on the huge St. Patrick’s Day parade.  

“This is our spring offensive,” a self-identified spokesman for the movement tells Reuters. “People think the Occupy movement has gone away. It's important for people to see we're back.”