30 people arrested in Occupy ‘May Day’ protests

UPDATE: Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne confirmed to Metro that about 30 protesters have been arrested during Occupy Wall Street’s “May Day” event. Browne said most of the arrests have occurred near Bryant Park, Waverly and 6th, the Williamsburg Bridge and Spring and Lafayette Streets.

Metro’s original story is below.

Occupy Wall Street’s events for “May Day” continue to garner traction through the afternoon.

Just before 3 p.m., hundreds of protesters filled Fifth Avenue, effectively shutting down the road, as the march downtown toward Union Square.

Police have made several arrests since protesters began gathering at Bryant Park for the start of today’s general strike — where people are encouraged to skip work, school and shopping.

A Vietnam veteran who stood in the road near Bryant Park was one of the day’s first arrests. Other protesters were arrested in marches on the Williamsburg Bridge and the so-called “Wildcat” march that police said might employ “Black Bloc” tactics. Police did not have an updated arrest count this afternoon.

Hundreds of protesters are on the move throughout the city. A rally at Union Square is set to begin at 4 p.m.. Protesters will leave Union Square and march to Wall Street at 5:30 p.m. in what could prove to be the day’s largest Occupy event.