Police Clear 'Occupy' Site in Philadelphia

[AntiFascist]

Source: Wall Street Journal

Philadelphia police cleared a group of "Occupy" protesters from a plaza next to City Hall early Wednesday to make way for a long-planned renovation, ending a nearly eight-week encampment inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement.

...

Two police officers experienced minor injuries making arrests, while another officer cut his leg taking down a tent on the plaza. A police horse stepped on and injured one demonstrator's foot, city officials said.

Although the Philadelphia Occupy movement had largely avoided violent clashes with police, some protesters said Wednesday the eviction and associated police actions were excessive.

Kyle Prouty, of Somers Point, N.J., said a police horse butted heads with him on a corner across from the plaza. In video he said was recorded overnight on his cellphone, several horses ridden by police officers could be seen stomping around and scattering a group of protesters across the street from City Hall, who yelled and cursed at the officers. Mayor Nutter said the police acted with restraint and professionalism.


Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833104577070493908139810.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

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If you were watching the livestream feed last night you could see how volatile the situation was, and how much anger there was on both sides. Several times the crowd would lock arms marching down the street, but then would run in panic when police did something violent.

[onehandle]

1. There were tons of TV vans around the site last night when I walked by. Snapped an iPhone photo.

That's three of them. There were at least ten in the area.

[AntiFascist]

3. Very cool...

but people were complaining that the MSM was downplaying the police violence.

I was impressed by the crowds of people who were protesting after 2-3am!

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. That time of night is part of the danger area. Most people go home

and cops collect the stragglers.

GO PHILLY! K&R!

[malthaussen]

2. SOS

The usual program is being followed: offer a "compromise" for a nice 9 to 5 protest somewhere else in the city, then attack when the protesters refuse to move. In this case the offered location was just across the street, but the time limit was unacceptable.

-- Mal

[TK421]

5. Hey...umm...maybe its just part of my addled brain here, but wasn't another Occupy city ordered to

clear because of "renovations" recently? Hmmm?? I recall hearing something about this on the news

What fucking "renovations" are these, hmmm? Has anyone else noticed that shit?

[AntiFascist]

6. Are you referring to this?

Boston Police asks Occupy Boston to leave newly renovated park

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/occupy-boston-occupies-newly-renovated-park-20111010#ixzz1fJvch11J