Updated: Occupiers Retake Liberty Square, Celebrate 6 Months of #OWS
Posted 12 years ago on March 17, 2012, 4:07 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
UPDATE: March tonight (3/18) in NYC! Converge at 8pm at the red cube across from Liberty Plaza. Show support for the dozens arrested and those beaten by police last night. We will not let police repression stop us! COME and share widely!!!
Yesterday, on the 6-month anniversary of the original Occupation of Wall Street, #OWS went back to our origins. After a weekend of marches on Wall Street complete with spring training exercises, a St. Patrick´s Day march, street theater, floating tents, and dancing in the intersections, Liberty Square was re-occupied by thousands of Occupy supporters. Unfortunately, bringing back memories of November 15th, NYPD violently evicted us from our home once again while Occupiers were hugging old friends and celebrating the coming of spring in the park.
According to the New York Times, ¨scores¨ were arrested, and more injured, during the attack. Police used city buses to corral mass-arrested protesters. Media were not allowed to cover the events. After clearing the Square, NYPD placed barricades around the area - an act specifically barred by previous legal action. At least one person was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. We have also heard reports of seizures and broken bones. On Livestream, peaceful protesters are seen being tackled, punched, stomped, choked, hit with batons, and thrown against cars for no reason other than sitting down to peacefully protest inequality in a public park. At around 3:40 minutes into the following video, watch as NYPD slams a medic´s head against a glass window and shatters it.
Solidarity marches are planned for tonight (3/18) in Portland, Chicago, and elsewhere. For more detailed reporting on events as they unfolded last night, see full coverage at the Occupied Wall Street Journal.