I think one of the main things besides the integrity of these young people is that there is no one person or group in charge so the authorities don't have a hard target and therefore are using any petty infractions they can find to harass them.
Its hard to get a coherent picture, so I am just passing on what I find.
Anyone wanting to support them here are the links of how best to direct your resources:
https:/occupywallst.org
http://www.livestream.com/...
http://www.facebook.com/...
Livestream is running a loop of the arrests this morning.
They report some of the media team was arrested for putting up a tent tarp to protect their equipment. They are also reporting that some of their equipment was taken during the arrests. They managed to record it all and have that running while they work on trying to get back up.
They also show an interview from yesterday from a young man that was arrested and released describing his experience. He noted that he was treated well and that there were NYPD members that were supportive. He also stated they told him that because of private property vs public space laws, that the protesters could not be removed.
The protesters are completed surrounded continually by security and the NYPD. (Aside: I'm not convinced that the whole NYPD is against this protest and that several of these uniforms are working OT or something like that, paid for by the finanical district.) And constantly monitored for any infraction as an excuse to arrest someone.
Excellen!t: Wikipedia has created a page just for this protest and they are supplying links for other protests in conjunction with this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Think Progress is reporting on Yahoo blocking email messages regarding the protest:
http://thinkprogress.org/...
(one of the commenters points out this it the very reason why we can't let the USPS go under)
TPM is reporting on the ridiculous antimask law arrests
http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Alternet is keeping up coverage and reporting that "Pay Us Back" movement is beginning today in the same spirit of this protest.
http://www.alternet.org/...
TRMS: Michael Moore mentioned the protesters in passing on last night's show:
http://www.rawstory.com/...
International Business Times is doing a very good job of reporting on this group:
http://uk.ibtimes.com/...
Fast Company talks about the future of protesting online:
http://www.fastcompany.com/...
Note: I'm trying to avoid mentioning specific public personalities to concentrate more on the protesters and more on the idea of a peoples' movement. No disrespect intended to Roseanne Barr and others that I have not mentioned.
1:46 PM PT: More Information on NYC's Mask law
http://gothamist.com/...