The Occupy Wall Street movement marked its first anniversary yesterday with a day of protests intended to block streets and disrupt businesses in downtown Manhattan.
Protesters were arrested near the New York Stock Exchange as activists came up against police and metal crowd barriers. The New York police department said it had made many arrests, mostly for disorderly conduct, but would not give a number. A spokesman said about 40 people had been arrested at marches over the weekend leading up to the anniversary.
Gideon Oliver, president of the National Lawyers Guild, which provides legal support for the protesters, said more than 100 had been arrested by early afternoon yesterday.