700 arrested after protest in New York

More than 700 protesters were arrested by police yesterday in New York, following a demonstration that led to tense confrontation with the Police. The hundreds were demonstrating against corporate greed, global warming and social inequality, the Associated Press reports.

Police said the majority of those arrested were given citations for disorderly conduct and were released. They were reportedly arrested for having spilled onto the roadway after being told to stay on the pedestrian pathway.

It reported that the group, ‘Occupy Wall Street’, had been camped out in a plaza in Manhattan’s Financial District for nearly two weeks carrying out a number of marches. Yesterday they also staged an impromptu trek to Brooklyn.

"Multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway and that if they took roadway they would be arrested," said Paul Browne, the chief spokesman of the New York Police Department.