• Watching and waiting: Dispatches from the disputed streets of lower Manhattan

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    People crowd on a street in downtown New York City early on Nov. 15, after the police cleared Zuccotti Park and protesters were pushed into the side streets.

    Msnbc.com's John Makely and Jonathan Woods have been photographing the scenes around Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan since the early hours of Tuesday morning. They gave a few impressions of what they have seen.

    Jonathan Woods writes:

    I got here around 3 a.m. ET and I really didn’t know what to expect. The first thing I saw when I walked onto Worth Street was a pile of dozens of bags of trash that the protesters had thrown into the street.

    As I walked closer to Zuccotti Park the police presence became overwhelming. The streets surrounding the park were heavily barricaded.

    Scuffles between police and protesters were few and far between -- most of those that I did see involved people refusing to get back on the sidewalk.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Police and protesters near Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    As I write it's 7.30 a.m. and most people are standing around waiting for somethign to happen. Protesters and press are thinly lining the sidewalks. It's turned into a waiting game.

    Looking at Zuccotti Park, with the exception of the police and cleaning crews, if you hadn’t been aware of what transpired here since September 17, you would have no idea there had been a camp there until a few hours ago. It's alarmingly clean, it's spotless.

    As New Yorkers made their morning commutes, some were surprised to see the park clear of the protesters. One woman passing by was rejoicing at how clean it was. She kept exclaiming, "It’s beautiful, the park is beautiful!" as she went.

     

    John Makely / msnbc.com

    A heavy police presence in lower Manhattan on Nov. 15.

    On the opposite side of Zuccotti park, the scene was quite different.

    John Makely writes:

    Broadway and Pine Street were flooded with protesters who had either fled Zuccotti Park when the police began clearing it or arrived afterwards and could get no closer.  Protesters were standing on NYPD vehicles and sitting in the middle of the intersection.

    While the scene wasn't tense there was an expectation that something would happen. Reinforcements beefed up the NYPD ranks and they warned those within earshot to clear out. Violent pushing, shoving and some punching later and the protesters were back on the sidewalk. Then a projectile was thrown from the crowd toward the police and about 30 seconds later there was a surge into the sidewalk by about 20 officers to attempt to catch whoever had thrown the object.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Police clear protesters from the area around Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Tense expressions on the NYPD and vocal rants from the protesters, some taunting, "The more you attack us the stronger we get", some trying to find common ground. One officer yelled back "Shut your mouth!"

    Police opened up a sidewalk leading to Zuccotti Park, which now stands freshly washed, with new barricades and a lot more officers.

    John Makely / msnbc.com

    NYPD officers surround Zuccotti park after cleaning crews finished removing tents and power-washing the plaza.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Members of the press, including John Makely of msnbc.com, center, work alongside tired protesters near Zuccotti Park early on Nov. 15.

    Read our latest news story on the clearance of Zuccotti Park and see more coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement on PhotoBlog.

  • Police clash with protesters during Zuccotti Park clearance, scores arrested

    Mary Altaffer / AP

    An Occupy Wall Street protester is arrested by police near the encampment at Zuccotti Park in New York, early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    Don Emmert / AFP - Getty Images

    A New York City police officer scuffles with Occupy Wall Street protesters after they were evicted from Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Don Emmert / AFP - Getty Images

    A New York City police officer scuffles with Occupy Wall Street protesters after they were evicted from Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Don Emmert / AFP - Getty Images

    A New York City police officer scuffles with Occupy Wall Street protesters after they were evicted from Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    John Minchillo / AP

    An Occupy Wall Street protester is detained by police officers after being ordered to leave Zuccotti Park early on Nov. 15.

    John Minchillo / AP

    People are taken into custody after police ordered Occupy Wall Street protesters to leave Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Miranda Leitsinger of msnbc.com reports from the scene:

    Ryan Peters, 29, from Chicago, who took leave of absence from the advertising agency where he works to tour different Occupy protests, cried as he told msnbc.com that about 30 people had chained themselves up inside the Occupy protest’s kitchen area.

    "People want to fight for something that's really important," he said.  "It makes me cry every time I think of them (the people in the kitchen) getting locked down in the park … these guys are patriots."

    There were unconfirmed reports that tear gas or some other kind of irritant spray had been used by police. Peters was unable to confirm that, but said at one point during the night his eyes had begun to sting.

    Another protester, Nan Terrie, an 18-year-old law student, told msnbc.com that a number of people had also chained themselves up in the women’s tents.

    "This is an illegal eviction (that) they are trying to do to us," she said. Read the full story.

    See more coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement on PhotoBlog.

  • NYPD clears Zuccotti Park encampment in less than three hours

    Mary Altaffer / AP

    A demonstrator yells at police officers as they order Occupy Wall Street protesters to leave Zuccotti Park, their longtime encampment in New York, early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    Lucas Jackson / Reuters

    Members of the Occupy Wall Street movement drag their belongings down the street after being removed from Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Justin Lane / EPA

    Sanitation workers begin clearing tents and debris after the New York City police department cleared Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15.

    Mary Altaffer / AP

    An Occupy Wall Street protester yells out at police after being ordered to leave Zuccotti Park, early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    Mary Altaffer / AP

    Occupy Wall Street protesters convene near Zuccotti Park after being vacated by police early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    NBC, msnbc.com and news services report from NEW YORK: 

    Zuccotti Park was cleared in less than three hours after hundreds of police officers conducted a surprise sweep of the Occupy Wall Street headquarters early Tuesday.

    New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said there were about 70 arrests in the park, while NBC New York's Jonathan Dienst, who is at the scene, reported that he had counted 40 arrests along Broadway. Continue reading.

    See more coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement on PhotoBlog.

  • Cellphone pictures of police raid on Occupy protest at Zuccotti Park

    Karly Domb Sadof / AP

    In this image made using a cell phone, Occupy Wall Street protesters are ordered to leave Zuccotti Park, their longtime encampment in New York, early Tuesday, Nov. 15. At about 1 a.m. Tuesday, police handed out notices from the park's owner, Brookfield Office Properties, and the city saying that the park had to be cleared because it had become unsanitary and hazardous. Protesters were told they could return, but without sleeping bags, tarps or tents.

    Karly Domb Sadof / AP

    Police gather to order Occupy Wall Street protesters to leave Zuccotti Park early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    Karly Domb Sadof / AP

    Police officers order Occupy Wall Street protesters to leave Zuccotti Park early Tuesday, Nov. 15.

    NBC, msnbc.com and news services report from NEW YORK:

    Hundreds of police officers, some in riot gear, descended on Zuccotti Park after midnight Tuesday in a surprise sweep of the Occupy Wall Street headquarters.

    NBC New York's Jonathan Dienst, who is at the scene, reported that he had counted 40 arrests.

    A few protesters, who appeared to resist and shove at officers, were then thrown to ground and placed in handcuffs, he reported. Continue reading.

    See more coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement on PhotoBlog.

  • Palestinian families wait to greet loved ones released from Israeli jails

    Ilia Yefimovich / Getty Images

    Palestinians wait in an area next to a checkpoint for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons next to Bitunian checkpoint on October 18 in Ramallah, West Bank. A high-profile prisoner swap began before dawn today.

    Andrew Winning / Reuters

    Palestinian prisoners enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Egypt on October 18.

    Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters

    Relatives of Palestinian prisoners, about to be freed in a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel, celebrate as they prepare to receive them at Rafah Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18.

    Mohammed Saber / EPA

    Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Sheikh Ismail Haniyeh, center, waves to families of Palestinian prisoners during his arrival at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18.

    Darren Whiteside / Reuters

    A Palestinian man waits at Beituniya checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah for the release of prisoners from Israeli jails on October 18.

    Follow the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap on BreakingNews.com and read the story in more detail here on msnbc.com.

    Previously on PhotoBlog:

  • APTN

    Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit is seen giving an interview to Egyptian television after his release on October 18.

    Freed Gilad Shalit says he is in good health

    Reuters reports:

    Freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit said on Tuesday he was in good health and he hoped his release in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons would lead to peace between the two peoples.

    In an interview shortly after his release, Shalit, 25, looked tired and dazed, hesitating as he replied to questions from an Egyptian TV reporter.

    Speaking through a translator, Shalit said he would be very happy if remaining Palestinians held in Israeli prisons were freed to return to their own families.

    "Of course I miss my family very much. I also miss my friends," he said. "I hope this deal will lead to peace between Palestinians and Israelis and that it will support cooperation between both sides."

    Follow the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap on BreakingNews.com and read the story in more detail here on msnbc.com.

    Previously on PhotoBlog:

  • APTN

    Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit is seen after his release on October 18, 2011.

    First picture of released Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit

    Reuters reports:

    "Gilad Shalit is home," Israel's chief military spokesman said on Tuesday, confirming that the captive Israeli soldier released by Gaza's Hamas rulers had been returned to Israel in a prisoner swap.

    Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai made the announcement on live television at Israel's Vineyard of Peace border post with Egypt, where Shalit, 25, crossed into Israel.

    Follow the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap on BreakingNews.com and read the story in more detail here on msnbc.com.

  • Hosni Mubarak appears in Egyptian courtroom on a gurney

    AFP - Getty Images

    In this image taken from Egyptian State television on August 3, former president Hosni Mubarak is wheeled on a gurney into a holding cell in a Cairo courtroom.

    msnbc.com news services report from CAIRO:

    Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived in court on a gurney for the opening of his historic trial on charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters during the uprising that ousted him.

    He is the first Arab ruler to be put in the dock since uprisings swept the region. Continue reading.

    Related content:

  • Clashes outside Cairo court as Hosni Mubarak goes on trial

    Scuffles broke out between hundreds of supporters and opponents of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak outside a Cairo court on Wednesday, as Mubarak arrived for the opening of his historic trial on charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters during the uprising that ousted him. Read the full story.

    Khaled Desouki / AFP - Getty Images

    Egyptians loyal to former president Hosni Mubarak strike a foe during the trial of Mubarak and other officials from the ousted government in Cairo on August 3. The T-shirt worn by the man at center reads in Arabic "I am Egyptian and refuse the humiliation of the leader of the nation."

    Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

    Riot police are seen outside the police academy where the trial of Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak will take place, in Cairo on Aug. 3.

    Amr Nabil / AP

    An anti-Mubarak protester gestures during stone throwing clashes with pro-Mubarak supporters outside the police academy in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 3. Ousted President Hosni Mubarak, his two sons Alaa and Gamal, his security chief Habib el-Adly and six top police officers face trial on Wednesday, on charges they ordered the use of lethal force against protesters during Egypt's 18-day uprising. Some 850 protesters were killed.

    Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

    A supporter of Hosni Mubarak reads the Koran outside the police academy where Mubarak's trial will take place, in Cairo on Aug. 3. Mubarak left hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday to travel to Cairo where he will be tried for conspiring to kill protesters, the first Arab ruler to be put in the dock since uprisings swept the region.

    Amr Nabil / AP

    An anti-Mubarak protester holds a noose outside the police academy in Cairo on Aug. 3.

    Related content:

  • Morten Holm / Scanpix Norway via AP

    Anders Behring Breivik, partially visible at center, is transported in a police vehicle from prison to police headquarters for a second session of questioning, in Oslo, Norway, on July 29.

    Anders Behring Breivik transported to police headquarters for questioning

    Read more about developments in Norway today and see more images in our slideshow.

  • Angels' Santana throws no-hitter against Indians

    By Rich Shulman

    It's nice to see the resurgence of good pitching in baseball. Full story.

    Jason Miller / Getty Images

    Starting pitcher Ervin Santana #54 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with his teammates after throwing a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 27 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Angels defeated the Indians 3-1.

    Jason Miller / Getty Images

    Starting pitcher Ervin Santana #54 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the ninth inning of a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 27 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Angels defeated the Indians 3-1.

  • Walter Reed closing after more than 100 years of treating wounded troops

    By Rich Shulman

    There is some pretty amazing history associated with Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Today's closing ceremony really marks the end of an era.

    Slideshow.

    Watch Nightly News video below.

    Luis Alvarez / AP

    Army personnel take part in a flag casing ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Wednesday, July 27. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the military's flagship hospital where privates to presidents have gone for care for more than a century, is closing its doors.

    Luis Alvarez / AP

    A member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachutes onto the front lawn of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Wednesday, July 27 after a flag casing ceremony. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the military's flagship hospital where privates to presidents have gone for care for more than a century, is closing its doors.

    In a cost-cutting move, Walter Reed Army Medical Center will close its doors for good. The hospital treated many of the country's wounded soldiers, including 18,000 Americans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.

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