Police confront Occupiers, tear down tents

U.S. Park Police cleared out Occupy protesters and many of their tents from McPherson Square Saturday in an action that deteriorated from a tension-filled standoff to a violent confrontation pitting police horses and riot gear against Occupiers attempting to remain in the park. What police suggested early Saturday morning would be a mere inspection — checking for compliance with a camping ban — turned by afternoon into outright removal of more than half of the tents in the square, some in place there since October.

Police pushed protesters out of the park, section by section, then moved in hazardous materials teams to tear down tents and carry away insulation, blankets and other materials in dump trucks.