New York City authorities on Tuesday reopened the Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan where the Occupy Wall Street movement was born, the New York Times reported.
This followed the city’s move to clear the park and bar the protesters from bringing back their tents or staying overnight, which was upheld by a judge.
The park had been closed since a surprise police raid, during which police officers removed the protesters camping there for some two months as well as their tents, tarps and belongings.
Demonstrators cried foul, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday defended the decision to clear the park. He said “health and safety conditions became intolerable” there.
Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said about 200 people had been arrested, 142 in the park and over 50 on nearby streets, most of them apprehended on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Bloomberg earlier said measures will be taken against some protesters after city residents complained about noise, disturbances and social misbehavior.
Occupy Wall Street protests began on September 17 and were aimed against the government’s financial policies, unemployment and the wealthy people in general.
