'Occupy SF' Protesters Arrested In Confrontation Over Tent Removal
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - San Francisco police fitted in riot gear arrested five people from the protest group "Occupy SF" during a heated confrontation at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco late Sunday night, police said.
Protesters had set up tents in Justin Herman Plaza Sunday and were told by police they were not allowed to encamp there and were in violation of the Park Code, police said.
PHOTOS: Bay Area 'Occupy' Protests
According to police, protesters assembled and refused to remove the tents at 10:30 p.m. Officers then removed the tents and placed them into Department of Public Works trucks and vans, police said.
Live online streaming from multiple people showed police beating some of the protesters and one, Ryan, said he was dragged by his index finger and police threatened to break it.
Protesters surrounded the vehicles and refused to move. One person stabbed one of the tires, flattening it, according to police.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
Four people were arrested for being a pedestrian in a roadway and resisting arrest and the other for battery on a police officer, police said.
Protesters claimed they were told they could stay in the park but could not sleep there.
"Occupy SF" had been camped in front of the Federal Reserve Building for about a week before being broken up on Oct. 7. The protest group set up its new camp Sunday.
The police retreated around 2 a.m., protesters said.
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