Occupiers Return to Zuccotti Park

The metal barricades surrounding Zuccotti Park were taken down on late Tuesday, and hundreds of occupiers began refilling the square.

From Democracy Now!:

In New York City, Occupy Wall Street protesters streamed back into Zuccotti Park by the dozens Tuesday night after the barricades were removed. In a complaint to city officials this week, the New York Civil Liberties Union had challenged the barricades, saying they infringe on freedom of assembly. Tuesday's action followed a New Year's Eve demonstration that saw protesters also remove the barricades to retake the space.

The Associated Press has video:

The New York Timesreports that there were arrests in the evening:

The police arrested three people late Tuesday, a woman and two men, and charged them with trespassing, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

More than 200 Occupy Wall Street protesters milled inside the park past midnight, celebrating the removal of the barricades, which some lawyers had said violated city laws.

NY1got feedback from some of the occupiers:

"It's ridiculous that [the barricades] were up to begin with. The mayor supposedly said the protesters will be free to congregate in the park and they can organize demonstrations, et cetera. The only thing they can't do is sleep in the park, bring tents and sleeping bags. And then we see this thing like a penitentiary," said one demonstrator.

"It's a bit of a victory but it's not about what's going on in the square. It's about having a place to come to and represent for the movement," said another.