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'Occupy' Protesters Arrested in NYC on Movement's Anniversary

Police officers take away a protester during an Occupy Wall Street march at the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan, Sept. 17, 2012.
Police officers take away a protester during an Occupy Wall Street march at the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan, Sept. 17, 2012.
Dozens of Occupy Wall Street protesters have been arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Monday in the heart of New York City's financial district. Police arrested a group of protesters who sat down on a sidewalk at the entrance to Wall Street.

Occupy Wall Street had called on supporters to assemble outside the New York Stock Exchange and to disrupt traffic in the area. Organizers said the demonstrations were being held to forward the goal of a "just and sustainable world."

The Occupy Wall Street movement began a year ago as protest against what its adherents say is a system of corporate greed and economic inequality in the United States.

Activists began their New York protests on September 17 last year, and assembled a camp in a nearby park to organize and discuss their efforts. The scene was repeated in cities across the country, including Washington and Oakland.

US 'Occupy' Movement Marks Anniversary

Protestors chant during an Occupy Wall Street march, New York, New York, September 17, 2012.
1/10 Protestors chant during an Occupy Wall Street march, New York, New York, September 17, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Anna Roblin is arrested during an Occupy Wall Street march, New York, New York, September 17, 2012.
2/10 Anna Roblin is arrested during an Occupy Wall Street march, New York, New York, September 17, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Police officers take away a protester during an Occupy Wall Street march at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, September 17, 2012.
3/10 Police officers take away a protester during an Occupy Wall Street march at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, September 17, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
People listen to an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
4/10 People listen to an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Wes Ketz relaxes in the sun during an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
5/10 Wes Ketz relaxes in the sun during an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Nathaniel Katz, left, and Valentina Curandi carry a small pacifist library on their backs during an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
6/10 Nathaniel Katz, left, and Valentina Curandi carry a small pacifist library on their backs during an Occupy Wall Street anniversary concert in Foley Square in New York, September 16, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Protesters associated with the Occupy Wall Street movement march in protest of the natural gas drilling technique known as "fracking" in New York, New York, September 16, 2012.
7/10 Protesters associated with the Occupy Wall Street movement march in protest of the natural gas drilling technique known as "fracking" in New York, New York, September 16, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Barry Knight, an activist associated with the Occupy DC movement, uses an old fashion typewriter to tell his story during a gathering of the Occupy Wall Street movement in Washington Square park, New York, September 15, 2012.
8/10 Barry Knight, an activist associated with the Occupy DC movement, uses an old fashion typewriter to tell his story during a gathering of the Occupy Wall Street movement in Washington Square park, New York, September 15, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
Police officers watch as an activist associated with the Occupy Wall Street movement performs during a gathering of the movement in Washington Square park, September 15, 2012.
9/10 Police officers watch as an activist associated with the Occupy Wall Street movement performs during a gathering of the movement in Washington Square park, September 15, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
A person associated with the Occupy movement is arrested in New York in front of Trinity church, September 15, 2012.
10/10 A person associated with the Occupy movement is arrested in New York in front of Trinity church, September 15, 2012.
Occupy Wall Street protesters are arrested near the New York Stock Exchange during a demonstration marking the movement's one-year anniversary.
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Protesters pushed for a wide array of reforms, including on banking, campaign finance and environmental issues.

But after several months, police broke up the camps in New York and elsewhere, and the movement that sparked conversation about wealth distribution and corporate earnings lost momentum amid unfocused demands.

Monday's demonstrations come weeks before Americans vote in a presidential election in which President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have largely focused on economic issues.

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