Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: OWS Protesters "Thank" Bloomberg After 73 Arrests Yesterday
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 18, 2012
Modified Mar 18, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 14
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 18, 2012
Modified Mar 18, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Occupy Wall Street attempted to retake Zuccotti Park yesterday on the six-month anniversary of the start of the OWS movement—and by early this morning, 73 protesters had been arrested or detained by the NYPD. But Ed Needham told Reuters that this has actually reinvigorated OWS: "Every time they use violence to put us down, it only increases the number of people that are empathetic to the cause. It adds fuel to the fire and draws attention to the movement. Mayor Bloomberg did us a big help last night in terms of fundraising."
Among those 73 detainees were Cecily McMillan, an activist who suffered a seizure after she was allegedly violently arrested by police; McMillan, who police say elbowed a cop, has been charged with assault on a police officer. Another protester, Daniel Murphy, 25, was also charged with assault on a police officer. Christopher Geist, 38, who cops say is homeless, was charged with attempted robbery and sexual abuse during the protests.
A man ("Jose") identified as a medic who was allegedly slammed against a glass window on East 10th Street by an officer was also arrested. Police are looking into Twitter user "smackema1” who wrote last night, "we wont make a difference if we dont kill a cop or 2.”
Filmmaker Michael Moore was on hand to witness much of the action, and told Reuters: "I think the goals are clear. People are concerned that they have no control over their own democracy. They have no control over their own lives. This is the beginning. This park is sacred ground for millions across the country." City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez told the Daily News: “The energy is back at Zuccotti Park."
Although they weren't successful with their attempt to set up camp and repopulate at Zuccotti, protesters are hoping that yesterday's clashes with police will give the movement momentum as their gear up for more events this spring—another march is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. at the red cube across from Zuccotti Park to protest "NYPD’s brutal attack on our peaceful assembly" last night.
Tagged
arrests
bloomberg
mayor bloomberg
occupy wall street
ows
Zuccotti Park
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .