Over 80 Arrested in NYC after 'Occupy Wall Street' Rally

Thousands gathered at the NYC Times Square to protest political corruption and corporate greed. Photo by EPA/BGNES

At least eighty eight people have been arrested Saturday in New York City during a protest rally of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which was born on September 17, 2011.

Several thousand people staged demonstrations in different parts of the Big Apple backing a number of causes – for and against US President, Barrack Obama, against banks, political corruption and corporate greed, measures to deal with the economic crisis, and ban on nuclear energy, among others.

Twenty four have been arrested and indicted for violating public order, 45 – for aggressive behavior and 14 – for refusal to leave Washington Square where police are considering imposing a curfew.

There were also large-scale demonstrations on the US West Coast.

Protesters took on to the streets worldwide Saturday, rallying against bankers, financiers and politicians for what they see as corporate greed and government cuts of wages and social benefits.

The demonstrators are saying the above are to blame for the global economic crisis in which ordinary people are paying the price and are facing poverty and misery.

The rallies were inspired by the movements "Occupy Wall Street" in New York City and "Indignants" in Spain.

Demonstrations, organized mainly via Facebook and Twitter, were held across 82 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

For the most part they were peaceful, in exception to London where clashes with police were reported after a group of young people attempted to break in the London City and in Rome where hundreds dressed in black, wearing hoods and masks, turned the protest into a riot and hours-long street battle with police.

At least 70 people were injured in Rome with 30 being policemen. Tensions in the Italian capital continue Sunday with Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, calling for severe sanctions for extremists.

Large-scale, but peaceful rallies took place in Madrid, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal and Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece.

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