Police roust OWS from Union Square

NEW YORK, March 21 (UPI) -- New York police evicted several hundred Occupy Wall Street protesters in Union Square, arresting nine demonstrators Wednesday, officials said.

Taunts greeted police as they surrounded the park with metal barricades early Wednesday, citing a rule that the park must be closed during overnight hours. The New York Times reported.

"The park will be closing as of midnight. If you don't leave, you will be arrested," a New York Police Department captain warned late Tuesday.

The New York Daily News said police escorted about 300 protesters from the park.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Amanda DeRoller, 22, a protester from Harlem. "I don't understand why we can't be here. Usually the park is open 24 hours. Now they want us out, because [New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg says so. It makes no sense."

City officials had said they would tolerate the group in small numbers, but said that protesters couldn't sit or lie down in the park if their number exceeds 25, the Daily News said.

The latest evictions followed larger protester-police confrontations Saturday at Zuccotti Park, where the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators gathered to mark the anti-greed movement's six-month anniversary. Police arrested 73 people.