New York Police Clear Occupy Protesters in Zuccotti Park

HEADLINES -- November 15, 2011 at 8:27 AM EDT

New York Police Clear Occupy Protesters in Zuccotti Park

A man confronts a New York Police Department officer a few blocks from Zuccotti Park as New York City officials clear the Occupy Wall Street protesters from the park early Tuesday. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images.

New York City police have cleared out Zuccotti Park, where the first Occupy Wall Street protests began in mid-September, arresting dozens of demonstrators who refused to heed an order to leave the park.

Police removed protesters, some of whom had linked arms to block them, at around 3 a.m. ET. The move followed similar removal actions in Portland, Ore. and Oakland, Calif. After the park was cleared, workers using power blasters could be seen cleaning the ground and sanitation trucks began removing remnants of the encampment. Some protesters congregated temporarily in nearby Foley Square.

View a slide show from WNYC of the police raid early Tuesday morning.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city intended to let protesters return, but had to first remove them in order to clean the park, where many have been staying in tents.

The move prompted legal action from the protesters' attorneys, who said Tuesday morning that a court order will permit them return to the park. According to the Associated Press,

"The National Lawyers Guild says it has obtained a court (order) that allows Occupy Wall St. protesters to return with tents to a New York City park.

"The guild says the injunction prevents the city from enforcing park rules on Occupy Wall Street protesters.

"Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city knew about the court order but has not seen it. He says the city plans to go court immediately."

New York City Occupy Wall Street, Zuccotti Park, Court Filing

On Thursday, organizers have planned events to coincide with the Occupy movement's two-month anniversary.

CNN has a roundup of Occupy demonstrations in cities across the country.

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*A man confronts a New York Police Department officer a few blocks from Zuccotti Park as New York City officials clear the Occupy Wall Street protesters from the park early Tuesday. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images.* New York City police have cleared out Zuccotti Park, where the first Occupy Wall Street protests began in mid-September, arresting dozens of demonstrators who refused to heed an order to leave the park. Police removed protesters, some of whom had linked arms to block them, at around 3 a.m. ET. The move followed [similar removal actions](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/11/police-occupy-protesters-clash-in-portland-order-oakland-cleared.html) in Portland, Ore. and Oakland, Calif. After the park was cleared, workers using power blasters could be seen cleaning the ground and sanitation trucks began removing remnants of the encampment. Some protesters congregated temporarily in nearby Foley Square. View a [slide show](http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2011/nov/15/nypd-clears-protesters-zuccotti-park/) from WNYC of the police raid early Tuesday morning.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city intended to let protesters return, but had to first remove them in order to clean the park, where many have been staying in tents. The move prompted legal action from the protesters' attorneys, who said Tuesday morning that a court order will permit them return to the park. According to the Associated Press, >"The National Lawyers Guild says it has obtained a court (order) that allows Occupy Wall St. protesters to return with tents to a New York City park. >"The guild says the injunction prevents the city from enforcing park rules on Occupy Wall Street protesters. >"Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city knew about the court order but has not seen it. He says the city plans to go court immediately." New York City Occupy Wall Street, Zuccotti Park, Court Filing On Thursday, organizers have planned events to coincide with the Occupy movement's two-month anniversary. CNN has a [roundup](http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/15/us/occupy-protests-roundup/index.html?hpt=hp_c1) of Occupy demonstrations in cities across the country.