Los Angeles – Police dressed in riot gear moved in on protesters camped outside City Hall early Wednesday and arrested more than 200 protesters who refused orders to leave, police chief Charlie Beck said.

It was the same situation in Philadelphia, as riot-suited officers confronted demonstrators, arresting about 50 who refused to clear a street, police said.

After a long evening of anticipation, police moved swiftly just after midnight in an effort to evict protesters and retake the park surrounding City Hall that for two months has been the campsite of Occupy L.A. demonstrators.

Police made a large show of force, assembling first at a staging area set up at Dodger Stadium before moving to retake City Hall. A large number of police officers moved out the doors of City Hall, surprising protesters, and took up positions throughout the park.

At least one protester scuffled with the police officers near the front door of City Hall and was subdued. Police stood shoulder to shoulder, some carrying batons and with plastic zip-tie handcuffs ready on their belts, as they took up positions through the park and in the streets around it.

Several protesters occupied trees in the park, with one tree sprouting an elaborate tree house festooned with signs and flags. Some remained in the trees in defiance of police.

Hundreds of people filled the streets outside the park, blocked from entering by police lines.

Los Angeles police earlier had secured a perimeter around the area with the aim of blocking more people from converging on the park.

Police declared the crowd in the park to be an unlawful assembly. Using a squad car loudspeaker, a police officer announced that declaration and said people who wanted to leave could depart peacefully. They warned that those who remained in the park despite the order were subject to arrest.

Before police made their move, police Commander Andrew Smith told reporters that “we’re really optimistic” that the actions would be peaceful and non-violent.

Aside from a few isolated cases, there appeared to be little resistance on the part of most protesters.

An unknown number of people were arrested. L.A. County Sheriff’s Department buses stood by to take those arrested from the scene.

Police subdued and detained several people, including at least one woman, as they cleared the area immediately around the front steps and doors of City Hall.

Among the police were some officers wearing white Hazmat suits to protect themselves from potentially unsanitary conditions.

An hour and a half after police moved in, aerial video from KCAL-TV’s helicopter showed the park littered with tents that appeared to have been knocked down and a group of protesters still in the area. Some sat in a circle, arms linked, awaiting arrest. Police appeared to be in no hurry as they arrested and handcuffed protesters who defied the eviction orders.

(Source: USA Today)