Shortly before I left (at about 1:20 am), police in riot gear began encircling the park, leaving only one street open for people to exit. Many people left, but many stayed. Besides tents, additional shelters were set up in trees for tree-sitters.

Prior to the police encirclement, there had been an enormous demonstration in the middle of the street at Spring and 1st that went on for 90-minutes or more.

Spirits were high throughout the evening, despite a noisy police helicopter overhead that periodically shined a searchlight down on the South Lawn. Eventually other copters joined it, totalling around five or more

Of course, Villaraigosa is really attacking the camp because of orders from Fatherland Security and the banks. His stated concern about the fake lawns is pretty pathetic, though. Those of us who saw the South Central Farm getting bulldozed know how much he cares about flora.

This went on throughout the evening, and the number of helicopters increased. There's no money for basic infrastructure, but there's money for this?

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This doesn't do justice to the sea of people that were there.

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