Occupy, police clash during protest

AUSTIN (KXAN) - One year later and Occupy Austin demonstrators are once again clashing with police.
 

Conflict boiled over on the empty parking lot of the now shut down The Home Depot located on St. John Street at Interstate 35.

Marking the one year anniversary of the Occupy Austin movement on Saturday started off peaceful as protestors met at City Hall to discuss their plan of action for the day.

Demonstrators then went to Highland Mall to begin their march to a site where they were planning to permanently set up a tent city. Demonstrators were kicked off the mall property, and two demonstrators were arrested for refusing to leave. 

Demonstrators said their renewed focus is now ending homelessness and the housing crisis here in Austin; which is why they decided to take a stance on Saturday.

"We reached out to the homeless community, and we think it's wrong that the city makes it wrong to camp, sit, or lay down," said Kit O'Connell, a leader of the Occupy Austin movement. "What are they supposed to do?"

Protestors marched for nearly a mile to the abandoned Home Depot parking lot, where they were met by Austin police. Nearly two dozen officers barred demonstrators from entering the parking lot and setting up their tents.

As Occupiers yelled with blow horns police stood making sure no one crossed onto the private property. Officers arrested another demonstrator at The Home Depot before dozens of the Occupiers decided to take their encampment across the street.

The battle didn't end there though, several police officers then went across the street to make more arrests and kick Occupiers off the private property.

Demonstrators say they chose The Home Depot because APD may soon turn the vacant property into a new police department. Instead they're hoping to turn it into a homeless shelter.

The Occupy Austin movement is set to continue Sunday as demonstrators protest at The Travis County Jail where those arrested on Saturday were taken.