Mainstream media not allowed near OWS. 7.28am / 2.28am ET: The Occupy Wall Street protest camp in New York's Zuccotti Park has been removed by police in an overnight operation.
It began around 1am today local time (6am GMT) when officers handed activists, who have been in the park since September, notices from the park owner, Brookfield Office Properties, saying it had to be cleared as it was now insanitary. It's not clear whether the protesters will be allowed to return. New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has said they should "temporarily leave". However, other instructions seemed to indicate they will only be permitted to return without tents or other possessions. What is clear is that police wearing helmets and carrying shields have now largely cleared the park, which is now sealed off.
There is no apparent disorder, though police say they have made 15 arrests. According to Browne, most people left voluntarily, although there was still a small group in the middle of the park. Riot cops now surrounding food tent. Social media used to counter official reports. 7.28am / 2.28am ET: The Occupy Wall Street protest camp in New York's Zuccotti Park has been removed by police in an overnight operation.
It began around 1am today local time (6am GMT) when officers handed activists, who have been in the park since September, notices from the park owner, Brookfield Office Properties, saying it had to be cleared as it was now insanitary. It's not clear whether the protesters will be allowed to return. New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has said they should "temporarily leave". However, other instructions seemed to indicate they will only be permitted to return without tents or other possessions. What is clear is that police wearing helmets and carrying shields have now largely cleared the park, which is now sealed off. There is no apparent disorder, though police say they have made 15 arrests.
According to Browne, most people left voluntarily, although there was still a small group in the middle of the park. Riot cops now surrounding food tent. Reuters' life feed (reliant on social media, mainstream media, youtube etc.) By Michelle Nichols and Ellen Wulfhorst NEW YORK (Reuters) - Officials in New York City Friday postponed a planned clean-up of the downtown Manhattan park where anti-Wall Street protesters set up camp a month ago, averting what many feared could have been a showdown with authorities.
Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway said the private owner of Zuccotti Park, Brookfield Office Properties, decided late Thursday to delay the cleaning, which had been slated to begin at 7 a.m.. He offered no reason for the delay. Protesters celebrated the postponement at the publicly accessible park, where the mood was festive. However, at least seven people were seen being arrested when several hundred people left the park and marched through the downtown financial district. Many protesters had feared the cleaning would be an attempt to shut down the movement that has sparked solidarity protests in more than 1,400 cities. They also believe the richest 1 percent of Americans do not pay their fair share in taxes. Guardian's live feed (reliant on Twitter) 7.28am / 2.28am ET: The Occupy Wall Street protest camp in New York's Zuccotti Park has been removed by police in an overnight operation.
It began around 1am today local time (6am GMT) when officers handed activists, who have been in the park since September, notices from the park owner, Brookfield Office Properties, saying it had to be cleared as it was now insanitary. It's not clear whether the protesters will be allowed to return. New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has said they should "temporarily leave". However, other instructions seemed to indicate they will only be permitted to return without tents or other possessions. What is clear is that police wearing helmets and carrying shields have now largely cleared the park, which is now sealed off.
There is no apparent disorder, though police say they have made 15 arrests. According to Browne, most people left voluntarily, although there was still a small group in the middle of the park.