Police clash with Occupy Wall Street protesters – ToryGraph (video)

Video has been posted online that shows police officers using batons and pepper spray to force back crowds of protesters who have gathered at the entrance to Wall Street in New York City.

Last night thousands of protesters filled the city’s Foley Square and marched to the movements unofficial headquarters in Zuccotti Park before a breakaway group approached the entrance to Wall Street where police had set up barricades.

The video shows an officer in the white shirt of lieutenant rank or above, swinging his baton wildly as protesters back away with their hands raised or turn their backs to protect themselves.

In the confusion it wasn’t just protesters who were hit, Fox 5 news reported that one of their journalists, Dick Brennan was struck by a police baton and his photographer was sprayed with pepper spray.

The protests are part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, a loose grouping of demonstrators who have been camped out in Zuccotti Park since the 17th of September protesting issues including the 2008 bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment.

Marches by the group have been taking place around New York’s financial district including one last Sunday on the Brooklyn Bridge where hundreds were arrested.

There have been allegations of police brutality during the campaign with video of an officer pepper spraying a group of women leading to a march on police headquarters in the city last Saturday.

Vice President Joe Biden offered a sympathetic analysis of the protests today as he told the Washington Ideas Forum: “The core (of the protest) is the bargain has been breached with the American people. The American people do not think the system is fair.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/8811627/Police-clash-with-Occupy-Wall-Street-protesters.html

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