Occupy Boston is no more after 10 weeks. Police moved in early this morning and made quick work of dismantling what the Boston Globe called the longest continual Occupy protest in the nation. It took only about 30 minutes for police to tear down about 50 tents and begin loading camp debris into a garbage truck. About 45 protesters were arrested on trespassing and disorderly conduct charges, notes AP.
“They wanted to get arrested," says a police official. "It went very well, and we’re very happy with this operation." It wasn't a huge surprise, given the mayor's eviction deadline, and one Occupy leader looked on wishing protesters had heeded his request to do the dismantling themselves. “Because there is a certain amount of respect and dignity that comes with intentionality.” (More Occupy Boston stories.)