Occupy Wall Street: NY Officials Remove Generators as Winter Storm Approaches City
“Occupy Wall Street” protesters may be faced with a perfect storm as New York City officials removed the group’s generators as a winter storm is forecasted to hit the region this weekend.
Authorities removed propane tanks and generators from Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan Friday. The park has been the home base for protesters since the movement began.
The move is the latest in a series of clashes between authorities and protesters.
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"It came to our attention cans of gasoline and generators were in the park,” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. “These are fire hazards (and) against the law.”
Protesters said the move was an attempt by city officials to freeze the group out of the park, but city officials maintain they are acting in accordance with the law.
"Our first concern is safety," Bloomberg said.
It is unclear how the removal will affect demonstrators staying in the park over the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory Friday and warned of possible heavy snowfall.
The weather is expected to be a significant early season winter storm, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Morrin.
The move by city officials is another blow to demonstrators in New York.
At least 10 people were arrested Wednesday in NY as demonstrators disobeyed police orders to stay on the sidewalk during a march in solidarity with protesters in Oakland.
The march took place the day after more than 100 people were arrested after clashes between demonstrators and police in the California city.
Solidarity marches began as a show of support after the clash in Oakland between demonstrators and police, which left a 24-year-old Iraq War veteran Scott Olsen hospitalized. Olsen was struck in the head by either a rubber bullet or a tear gas canister fired into the crowd of demonstrators, according to witnesses.
Dozens of people also were arrested at demonstrations in Georgia and New Mexico this week.
