New York’s Zuccotti Park was buzzing with excitement Tuesday night after more than 200 Occupy Wall Street protesters reclaimed the grounds shortly after metal barricades were removed.
Over the last four months, Zuccotti played an important part in the OWS movement, hosting thousands of protesters, celebrities, musicians, and journalists eager to have their voices heard. This was the first time protesters have been allowed back inside the park since mid-November when the New York Police Department cleared them out.
“Back in the park again! Barricades down, morale up! What a beautiful night!” tweeted @OWSOutreach.
“Huge thanks to @nyclu tonight,” rejoiced @OccupyWallStNYC.
Although Brookfield Office Properties has banned people from bringing tents, sleeping bags, and tarps into the park, that didn’t stop at least four people from lying down on the floor with a silver blanket, tweeted Megan Robertson, a producer for MSNBC. And at one point, there was about 40 people on the floor, near the reopened People’s Library, Robertson added.
“You are not allowed to lay down or sleep in the park,” an NYPD officer told gatherers Tuesday night, the New York Daily News reported. “If you do not obey these orders, you will be arrested for trespassing. This is your final warning.”
According to a tweet from user @Laylo112, at least one person was arrested for laying down in the park.
Here is raw video footage of protester entering Zuccotti Park.
Photo by Nick Pinto