In New York City, the police department is trying to make sure the Wall Street protests don’t get out of hand, using a controversial “corraling” technique, reports CBS News. Last Saturday, Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge where police warned them not to go further. “If you refuse to leave, you’ll be placed under arrest, and charged with disorderly conduct,” a police official told the crowd through a bullhorn. Protesters continued to march anyway with officers in front–in what looked like a police escort. Then, 700 protesters were penned in and arrested.
Former New York City police chief William Bratton of Kroll and Associates said the idea is to diffuse tension. “As far as the idea of corralling and arresting that group,” he said, “after a notification was made and after they remained on the roadway, I see nothing wrong with it. “We have come a long way from the days when hoses and dogs were routinely used to control crowds, and the use of batons was routine.” The courts will sort out whether what happened Saturday on the Brooklyn Bridge violated constitutional protection to assemble. One lawsuit has already been filed.