Bloomberg Clears Out Zuccotti Park

Acting upon the orders of Mayor Bloomberg, hundreds of police officers raided Manhattan's Zuccotti Park in a pre-dawn raid today. At least 75 Occupy Wall Street protesters were arrested as they were rousted from their tents and sleeping bags.

The mayor’s office sent out a message on Twitter at 1:19 a.m. saying: “Occupants of Zuccotti should temporarily leave and remove tents and tarps. Protesters can return after the park is cleared.” Fliers handed out by the police at the private park on behalf of the park’s owner, Brookfield Properties, and the city, spelled out the same message. A number of other arrests were reported just outside the park, as police tried to move supporters of the protesters away from the park. Details were not immediately available. There were several additional arrests after the park was cleared when protesters who refused to leave a nearby street were taken into custody. Early Tuesday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issued a statement explaining the reasoning behind the action. He spoke about the need to balance the right of free speech with public safety and health concerns.

Bloomberg said protesters will be allowed to return to the park, but overnight stays will be ended. Bloomberg: "Protestors have had two months to occupy the park with tents and sleeping bags. Now they will have to occupy the space with the power of their arguments."