Party's over: NYPD cops in riot gear clear out 70 remaining Occupy City Hall protesters after they spent MONTH camping outside graffitied federal building calling for police to be 'defunded'
A line of NYPD officers dressed in riot gear cleared out the last of the Occupy City Hall protesters from their month-long encampment in lower Manhattan early Wednesday.
The officers moved in at 3.40am, pushing around 70 remaining occupants – said to be a mixture of activists and homeless – north on Centre Street to Foley Square, where the crowd began to disperse.
Police said they gave the occupants a 10 minute warning before the Defund the Police activists 'left voluntarily'.
In total, seven people were taken into custody during the operation but charges are still pending.
One officer was injured after being struck by a brick, police said. Whether any protesters suffered injuries could not immediately be confirmed by the department.
A line of NYPD officers dressed in riot gear cleared out the last of the Occupy City Hall protesters from their month-long encampment in lower Manhattan early Wednesday
The officers moved in at 3.40am, pushing around 70 remaining occupants – said to be a mixture of activists and homeless – north on Centre Street to Foley Square, where the crowd began to disperse
Police said they gave the occupants a 10 minute warning before the Defund the Police activists 'left voluntarily'.
ABC 7 observed two people being taken into custody. One man also appeared to have suffered a medical condition and was taken away in an ambulance.
After successfully moving the crowd on, the officers then began to take down the makeshift tents and remnants of the encampment, which first began on June 23 as a protest for police reform in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
Video footage captured the moment the officers, donning heavy gear, moved in on protesters who were heard chanting as they approached.
ABC 7 observed two people being taken into custody. One man also appeared to have suffered a medical condition and was taken away in an ambulance.
The NYPD temporarily shut down the near-by Brooklyn Bridge while they carried out the operation.
The goal of the Occupy City Hall demonstration – similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 – had been to secure at least a $1 billion cut from the NYPD budget.
After the reform was approved by City Hall earlier this month, and signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio last week, organizers of the protests and many of its members left. Only a few stayed, with the majority of the crowd made up by homeless people.
Video footage captured the moment the officers, donning heavy gear, moved in on protesters who were heard chanting as they approached
After successfully moving the crowd on, the officers then began to take down the makeshift tents and remnants of the encampment
Tents are seen strewn out across the floor out-front City Hall as clean up crews prepare for weeks of work ahead
The encampment first began on June 23 as a protest for police reform in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor
A line of NYPD officers line the street near City Hall to deter protesters from returning
One officer was injured after being struck by a brick, police said. Any injuries to protesters could not immediately be confirmed by the department
De Blasio's administration has long stated homeless encampments are no longer permitted in the city, and had been closely monitoring the encampment to determine if it was still operating as some form of protest.
The mayor stated on Tuesday that he had no immediate plans to shut down the encampment.
'That decision will be made by the NYPD as things emerge. We're looking at the situation every day,' he said at a press conference.
'We're trying to assess regularly,' he continued. 'It's an American value to respect the right to protest. I've also said we don't allow encampments around this city.'
However, hours later de Blasio approved the operation, which has long been planned by the NYPD. The mayor has not yet spoken out about the overnight action.
The park outside City Hall will now be on lockdown for weeks as clean-up crews move in to clear debris and graffiti from nearby buildings and statues.
The goal of the Occupy City Hall demonstration – similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 – had been to secure at least a $1 billion cut from the NYPD budget
The park outside City Hall will now be on lockdown for weeks as clean-up crews move in to clear debris and graffiti from nearby buildings and statues
A sanitation crew is seen jet-washing graffiti off of the side walk on Wednesday morning, with colored scrawl covering much of the street
The mayor stated on Tuesday that he had no immediate plans to shut down the encampment but signed off on the order hours later
Clean up crews are seen scrubbing the outside of a Subway booth on Wednesday
The clean up will occur over a several week period after the encampment stood for more than a month
