Hundreds of protesters marking the first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement were met by a heavy police presence as they converged on lower Manhattan Monday morning.
Officers on horseback and some in riot gear limited access to Wall Street and the surrounding area to workers or residents who have identification.
Police made 146 arrests by 3:30 p.m. Monday, mainly for disorderly conduct when protestors impeded vehicular or pedestrian traffic, NYPD chief spokesman Paul Browne said. Browne also confirmed 43 arrests were made over the weekend, including for disorderly conduct, assault and resisting arrest,.
The protesters had hoped to shut down Wall Street by blocking access to the New York Stock Exchange and create chaos in the Financial District. But while commutes were snarled and workers were inconvenienced by having to show identification to get into buildings, business appeared to go on as usual Monday.
About 1,000 protesters commemorating last year’s kick-off of the income inequality movement gathered early in the morning at four meeting points. One group met across the street from Zuccotti Park, where protesters camped out for weeks last year, and marched south along Broadway.
The group was met by police officers at the entrance to Wall Street, and a handful sat down on the sidewalk. When they refused to move, they were arrested.
Around 8:15 a.m, another group of about 400 people clogged the four corners of Nassau and Pine Streets, some hanging off scaffolding, taunting traders and police officers.
Others were more festive, popping off confetti, volleying a balloon or chatting politics with police officers. Hundreds of protesters at Bowling Green sang a version of “Happy Birthday” to the movement.
Working musicians David Ross, 28, Washington Heights and Ben Laude, 26, Washington Heights, were dressed in suits for the protest. They both attended last year and were pleased by the turnout. “It is encouraging getting 1,000 people out to do anything,’’ Ross said.
Laude was convinced of the relevance of the movement a year later.
“There are dozens of Occupy meetings happening every week that nobody reports on,’’ Laude said. “As long as the economy keeps tanking, there will always be something like Occupy Wall Street.’’
Continue reading - WSJ - Nearly 150 Protesters Arrested on Occupy Wall Street Anniversary
Dozens Arrested at Occupy Protest in NY
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