Police issue warning, begin arrests in Occupy San Diego protest
San Diego police began to arrest Occupy San Diego protesters Friday morning for refusing to remove their tents and other property from the plaza behind City Hall.
At least one arrest was made, and police have told other protesters they will be arrested and their property confiscated. A 7 a.m. deadline was issued for property to be removed.
An estimated five-dozen protesters remain in the plaza, down from several hundred for much of the week. Police Chief Bill Lansdowne was in the plaza directing officers Friday morning.
About two dozen officers were in the plaza with plastic zip-ties to handcuff those being arrested.
Police were dismantling tents and carting off other property as protesters chanted, "We are the 99%" and "The whole world is watching."
Several dozen protesters voluntarily relocated to Balboa Park after a warning Thursday night that their tents, chairs and other property had to be removed by midnight, a deadline later extended to 7 a.m.
Police said the protesters could remain but that their property had to be removed as a violation of a municipal code that prohibits blocking public access.
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-- Tony Perry in San Diego
Photo: The Occupy San Diego protest site. Credit: Tony Perry / Los Angeles Times
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