At least 175 people have been arrested during clashes between police and Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in New York. Some protesters were bloodied during arrests.
This man who identified himself as Brendan Watts was beaten to the ground by police officers in Zuccotti Park. According to reports he was injured and suffered a fractured skull after being hit with a baton to the head as police clashed with protesters.
© Allison Joyce/Getty Images/AFPBrandon Watts lies injured on the ground
© Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP
And it was not the only case of violence during 'Day of Action' protests in New York. Police were seen roughly dragging people from crowd, forcibly bringing them to the ground and handcuffing them.
There were reports of journalists also being on the receiving end. RT's Lucy Kafanov was hit by NYPD officer on the arm with a baton. She witnessed a photographer being roughly shoved.
At first, OWS protesters were chanting "Put away the riot gear. I don't see no riot here" and '"This is a nonviolent protest". But when police went on with tough arrests - it was "Shame" and "This is what a police state looks like" chants all the way.
© Allison Joyce/Getty Images/AFP
© Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFPA protester affiliated with Occupy Wall Street link is arrested a few blocks away from the New York Stock Exchange on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
© Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFPA protester affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street Movement is arrested by police officers at the intersection of Exchange Place and Beaver Street in the Financial District on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
© Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP
Police officers fall while attempting to arrest protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street Movement at the intersection of Exchange Place and Beaver Street in the Financial District on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
Police officers fall while attempting to arrest protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street Movement at the intersection of Exchange Place and Beaver Street in the Financial District on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
© Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFPA protester affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement is arrested by police officers on Beaver Street in New York City.
© Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFPA protester affiliated with Occupy Wall Street is arrested by police a few blocks away from the New York Stock Exchange on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
© Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFPA police officer gets back up after falling while attempting to arrest protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement at the intersection of Exchange Place and Beaver Street in the Financial District on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
© Allison Joyce/Getty Images/AFPAn Occupy Wall Street protester is arrested by Zuccotti Park on November 17, 2011 in New York City.
wear helmets to protests (which often turn into riots)--perhaps head protection would make a good addition in the face of dangerous, violent, law breaking police officers who are likely on steroids ("roid-rage").