New York police arrest 700 at anti-Wall St march

In New York, police have arrested more than 700 anti-Wall Street protesters, who forced the closure of the Brooklyn Bridge after blocking traffic.

The activists, from the Occupy Wall Street movement, are protesting at bailout loans to banks, and at corporate influence in politics.

The group says it’s defending 99 percent of the US population against the wealthiest 1 percent.

Those arrested were part of a larger group that has been camped out for two weeks in a park in lower Manhattan, near Wall Street.

Paul J. Browne, deputy commissioner for the New York City Police Department said:

Over 700 summonses and desk appearance tickets have been issued in connection with the demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge … after multiple warnings by police were given to protesters to stay on the pedestrian walkway.

According to CNN, Browne said authorities had warned protesters they would be arrested if they occupied the roadway – adding that “some complied and took the walkway without being arrested”.

Earlier on Saturday, two separate marches crossed the Brooklyn Bridge without incident.

CBS reported that one was from Brooklyn to Manhattan by a group opposed to genetically modified food. Another in the opposite direction marched against poverty.