Watch CBS News

Police Release Video Of Officers Warning Protesters At Occupy Wall Street March Across Brooklyn Bridge

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released two videos that show officers warning hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protestors who marched across the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday that demonstrators will be arrested if they do not get off the roadway.

In each video, an NYPD officer is reading a statement into a bullhorn.

In the first video, the officer says in part:

"I am ordering you to leave this roadway now. If you do so voluntarily,  n0 charges will be placed against you. If you refuse to leave, you will be placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct. If you do not wish to be arrested, you must leave this area now."

As the officer is giving the warning, protestors can be heard chanting what sounds like "Take the bridge!" and "This is what democracy looks like!"

Watch the first NYPD video below:

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reports

Podcast

In the second video, the officer says in part:

"Ladies and gentlemen, since you have refused to leave this roadway, I am ordering your arrest for disorderly conduct."

After the officer reads the warning, the video pans over to show what looks like hundreds of protestors on the bridge and many begin sitting down on the road. The demonstrators then begin to shout what sounds like "Shame, Shame, Shame!"

Watch the second NYPD video below:

About 700 protestors were arrested Saturday after swarming the Brooklyn Bridge, partially shutting down traffic for several hours.

Photo Gallery: Wall Street Protests

The march began on the pedestrian walkway but soon spilled into the roadway.

"A couple of people kind of hopped up on that area and there was a huge surge of excitement," said one protestor. "People were really feeling the energy and kind of marched up to the center of the bridge."

Police rolled out orange mesh fencing to control the crowds and began arresting demonstrators.

"We were being trapped in there and then a sort of panic set in because we're all human and we were being enclosed on both sides and then they started unrolling the orange nets," said another protestor.

"It was hard to remember what your rights were, people saying you couldn't be there or couldn't be standing there, you had to be moving," said another demonstrator. "I heard one cop saying to people who were taking a break and sitting on benches that the bridge was meant for walking, even though they were sitting on benches."

Police say the arrests became necessary after protesters ignored repeated warnings not to block traffic, like those seen in the videos that were released by police on Sunday.

For more than four hours, Brooklyn-bound traffic was diverted causing tie ups across lower Manhattan.

"Some complied and took the walkway without being arrested. Others proceeded on the Brooklyn-bound vehicular roadway. The latter were arrested," the NYPD said in a statement.

Most of the people who were arrested were given disorderly conduct citations and released.

Meanwhile, at Zucotti Park where protestors have been camped out for two weeks, FDNY officials reportedly showed up at 3 a.m. Sunday worried that the group poses a fire hazard and warned people against using any sort of fuel to cook or keep warm. The Health Department is also being called out.

1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports: Protestors Say They're Not Giving Up

Podcast

Tim from New Jersey says he expects some Marines to show up at Zuccotti Park Monday to support the protest.

"The Marines are coming tomorrow in solidarity with us," he said. "It's like the army coming to protect us from the brutal police force."

Demonstrators with Occupy Wall Street say they are railing against a number of causes, including corporate greed, global warming and social inequality.

What do you think of the protests? Sound off below in our comments section...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.