20 protesters spend night at NYC's ex-Occupy camp

[January 11, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- About 20 Occupy Wall Street protesters spent the night at New York City's Zuccotti Park after metal barricades surrounding it came down.

The barricades were removed late Tuesday. About 300 cheering protesters began filling the park.

By 6 a.m., about 20 remained, including Chris O'Donnell.

He says three people were arrested for lying down. A police spokesman couldn't immediately confirm any arrests.

Sleeping, tents and sleeping bags have been banned from the park since a Nov. 15 police raid evicted protesters.

On Monday, civil rights groups filed a complaint with the city's buildings department saying the barricades were a violation of city zoning law.

Zuccotti Park is a publicly owned private plaza and is required to be open 24 hours a day.

[Associated Press]

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