Occupy Worcester Participants Arrested On Common

Worcester police say about 25 people participating in Occupy Worcester activities have been arrested after refusing officers' orders to leave the Common.

Authorities say the participants were in Lake Park before deciding Saturday night to occupy the Common, where some chanted and formed a human chain when officers asked them to leave.

Police say they were arrested without incident.

A Worcester city ordinance says staying on the Common between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. is misdemeanor trespassing. Mayor Joseph O'Brien had warned the group earlier Saturday that police intended to enforce the regulation.

The Telegram & Gazette reports the Occupy Worcester participants said in a press release that they considered Lake Park an "excellent boot camp" to prepare, but that the Common was better for outreach and solidarity.