While at least 45 arrests were made throughout Tuesday, overall Occupy Wall Street protesters and union advocates had a peaceful day of May Day demonstrations that stretched from Bryant Park in Midtown to Battery City Park in Lower Manhattan.
At least two police officers were treated for injuries received during the protests, including an officer who was injured when a protester kicked out the window of a police cruiser. The wide coalition of demonstrators were marking May Day, when unions and labor advocates worldwide advocate for better working conditions and pay. The Occupy Wall Street movement coordinated with labor advocates to have the Tuesday rallies address what they call the vast economic inequalities in the United States.
Demonstrators began their day at Bryant Park, where they held teach-ins and workshops.
Then, the afternoon rally at Union Square attracted protesters dressed in satirical costumes, speakers and live performers and demonstrators spanning several generations. A father who let her daughter skip school and join him at the protests told NY1, "There's no better civics lesson than getting out of the classroom and seeing how democracy works."
Around 5:30 p.m. the protesters marched down Broadway towards Lower Manhattan, past miles of police barriers and increased security.
Speeches were held through the night at the Water Street amphitheater in Battery Park, before the demonstrators largely dispersed peacefully after 10 p.m. Between five to 10 arrests were made as police cleared out the throngs from Lower Manhattan.
The spring and summer promises to bring many more marches, demonstrations and occasional flare-ups with police.