Barriers Taken Down at Zuccotti Park as Occupiers Return

But protesters still aren't allowed to bring in tents or sleeping bags.

The barriers have come down at Zuccotti Park in New York City, allowing Occupy protesters to return en masse to the spot where the worldwide movement was born. Security guards working for Brookfield, the Canadian company that owns the private park, tore down the barriers yesterday evening. Shortly thereafter, about 200 Occupiers came back to the park to revel in their newfound access. However, security guards prevented anybody from setting up tents or sleeping bags, telling the protesters that anyone found lying down would be evicted. Three people have been arrested so far. The barriers were taken down following an effort from various legal groups, including the New York Civil Liberties Group, to force Brookfield to follow zoning laws that require unobstructed access to the park. The barriers had forced people to enter the park in a single-file line. Given that winter has basically failed to materialize throughout much of North America, we're left wondering if other protesters in other cities, notably Toronto and Vancouver, won't set up shop once again, too.