Police raid Occupy DC

National Park Service police raided the Occupy DC encampment in downtown Washington on Saturday morning.

The NPS on Jan. 28 said that it would soon enforce a no-camping order in Washington's McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza where the Occupy DC movement has been holding a round-the-clock vigil for months.

In response, protesters had put up a giant tarp over McPherson Square. That “Tent of Dreams” was taken down by protesters Saturday.

The NPS will allow protesters to remain in the square but is removing all “camping equipment” and will ensure that temporary structures are open at least on one side.

The park service has come under pressure from Republicans in Congress to end the camping in the two federal parks.

House Oversight Committee Republicans, led by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) have questioned why the NPS allowed protesters to degrade McPherson Square which had just been renovated using money from President Obama's stimulus package.

The Occupy DC movement says it is non-partisan, but its rallying cry pitting the 99 percent against the richest 1 percent has underscored Obama's message that the wealthy are not paying their fair share in taxes and helping to reduce the deficit.

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