Occupy

Protesters Vow to Retake Park

Oakland mayor admits crackdown is coordinated.

Protesters and police are facing off at New York's Zuccotti Park, both sides apparently awaiting a judge’s ruling on whether the protesters will be allowed to rebuild their encampment. The judge ruled this morning that police couldn’t prevent protesters from bringing tents into the park, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg closed the park while lawyers reviewed the order. Meanwhile, police have flushed out a group of protesters from a lot a mile north, on Canal Street, where they regrouped after the park was closed. The early-morning raid, which follows police action in Portland, Salt Lake City, and elsewhere, seems to be a coordinated multi-city effort. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, speaking with the BBC, said she was on a conference call with leaders of 18 cities shortly before the raid. Some reporters have said the police instituted a media blackout before the raid, arresting reporters and blocking them from interviewing protesters.