Austin Police arrest 38 Occupy Austin protesters

Protesters start a food fight.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Austin Police arrested 38 Occupy Austin protesters this morning at City Hall Plaza after protesters refused to take down a table that was being used to distribute food.

Protesters became confrontational and locked arms in defiance and were arrested.

Police removed the feeding table as well as many of the protester’s tents and sleeping bags that had been erected.

The city has bent over backwards to accommodate Occupy Austin protesters since their protest began on October 6. The police has allowed protesters to violate many of the city’s ordinances, including setting up tents, camping and cooking out on City Hall Plaza. 

However, in an attempt to gain some control, the city gave the protesters a list of “rules” two days ago about the use of City Hall Plaza.

The city told the protesters they could continue to cook out and distribute food at City Hall Plaza, but the tables and supplies must be taken down everyday between 10 p.m and 6 a.m.

The protesters apparently don’t want any restrictions or regulations.

This is the second time police have moved in to arrest Occupy Austin protesters. Four people were arrested on October 13 for refusing to allow the city to come in a pressure clean the Plaza after it was determined the protesters were creating a health hazard.

Even though the city had made public restrooms available around the clock, many protesters were urinating and defecating in the Plaza and on City Hall itself.

As the Occupy Wall Street protests have worn on across the country, the protesters have become increasingly violent and confrontational.

Scores of protesters have been arrested nationwide, including San Diego, Nashville, Tampa, Atlanta and Oakland.

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