This is how New York deals with tent protesters...it sends in the riot police
New York riot police today raided the Occupy Wall Street camp that inspired the St Paul's tent city and ordered protesters there to leave.
Officers in helmets and carrying riot shields moved into the site in Zuccotti Park at 1am after surrounding streets were barricaded and the area lit up by spotlights.
Protesters said several hundred people had been sleeping at the camp. Some claimed police used pepper spray to clear the area and 15 people were arrested during clashes. The demonstrators were told they would be able to return but they could not pitch their tents again.
About 50 to 80 protesters managed to stay in the park, many of whom had linked arms or chained themselves to trees.
"They gave us about 20 minutes to leave," said protester Sam Wood. "It was a painful process to watch. They are sweeping through the park."
NYPD said: "The city has determined that the continuing occupation of Zuccotti Park poses an increasing health and fire hazard." The Occupy Wall street movement said: "You can't evict an idea whose time has come. Politicians may remove us from public spaces - our spaces - but we are engaged in a battle over ideas." The Zuccotti Park camp was established in September to protest against economic inequality and has been copied across the world.
