A total of 51 Occupy San Diego protesters were arrested early Friday morning.
San Diego Police Officers and San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies cleared out Occupy San Diego protesters in the raid Friday at about 2 a.m.
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The law enforcement officers arrived in riot gear to clear out the people and the tents that have taken over this space for three weeks. Forty individuals were arrested infront of Civic Center Plaza on Third St. and later, police arrested 11 additional protesters in Children's Park in downtown San Diego moments later.
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When an officer using a bullhorn demanded the group disperse, protesters responded chanting "This is what democracy looks like."
Police said they made efforts to mediate with protestors to try to reach an agreement but despite these attempts, protesters were unwilling to move."These are not the kind of negotiations we’re used to – with this leaderless group,” said San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne.
Occupy San Diego participants said the arrests were unfair and claimed police brutality for arresting observers and protesters. Lansdowne said he witnessed no force issues.
“There was one young woman who was simply filming them with her iPhone and they reached out, grabbed her arm, put it behind her back and arrested her without any kind of warning,” said one witness.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said the actions taken by police were justified.
"The City of San Diego, of course, supports anyone’s right to protest. However, when health and safety issues arise, or when protesters fail to comply with the law, appropriate action must be taken," Sanders said in a statement.
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