#M21: #OccupyUnionSquare Live Coverage

Following the mass arrest and removal of Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park late in the evening of March 17th (full recap), occupiers marched north and established an occupation on the public steps of Union Square, which has been open 24 hours a day as long as anyone can remember.

 

Last night, between about 12am and 3am, more than 150 police (counted and verified by @DailyOcc contributors on the ground) formed two lines at the top and bottom of the Union Square steps and moved together to squeeze occupiers down to the bottom of the plaza, level with the sidewalk, before erecting barricades and holding steady. One arrest was made during this push.

Later, at about 4:00AM, the police reportedly charged the remaining protesters and arrested 5, some who were sleeping on cardboard on the sidewalk. A medic was pushed and sustained a head injury which rendered her unconscious. When other medics rushed to help, police met them quickly and in the confusion the injured medic was further trampled.

Police retreated following these events and by 6AM the plaza was reopened for the morning rush. Occupiers remained present throughout, and will likely attempt to stay on the plaza again tonight.

We’ll use Ustream, CoverItLive and Twitter tonight to keep everyone in the loop events on the ground. Please use the CoverItLive session below. You’ll likely be able to find other coverage at OccupyWallSt.org. And if you’re in the area, consider coming down and bearing witness to the likely again-contentious scene yourself.
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