700 arrests during protest against social inequalities in New York

Participants in this rally organized under the banner of a movement called ” Occupy Wall Street (Occupy Wall Street) left the pedestrian lane, despite police warnings, and entered the traffic lanes of the bridge.

Witnesses on the spot said the situation turned chaotic when police mingled with the protesters.

“More than 700 subpoenas were issued in connection with the demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge in the late afternoon as police repeatedly asked protesters to stay on the pedestrian lane,” a door said. -police speech.

The Brooklyn Bridge was reopened on Saturday evening, after several hours of closure that caused the traffic congestion problems one can imagine in the American metropolis. Most of those arrested were released on Sunday.

Participants in the movement, which began two weeks ago, have set up camp at Zoccotti Park, near the former World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. They notably received the visit of filmmaker Michael Moore and actress Susan Sarandon. Unions of teachers and transport workers have also offered their support.

The protesters chant many messages, including several related to the redistribution of wealth in society or attacking capitalism, represented by Wall Street and the big banks. On a sign seen on Saturday, a person appearing to be a teacher said that 95% of the students in her class were entitled to a free or reduced-cost lunch.

On another sign, seen during one of the protests in recent weeks, a protester called for an end to financial support for the State of Israel. Other protesters denounce the unfair treatment of minority groups in American society, such as Muslims.

One of the slogans heard at the rallies was “This is what democracy looks like”.

On Friday, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched peacefully to the police headquarters, north of the city hall, to denounce an excessive deployment of the police the previous week. On September 24, some 80 of them were stopped near the commercial area of ​​Union Square, while walking in the street. A police officer who used cayenne pepper against demonstrators saw his actions posted on the Internet, adding to the fervor of the protesters.

Similar protests have been reported in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Albuquerque, according to Reuters.

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