Looks like the ongoing #OccupyWallSt protest against corporations got a bit tense on its eighth day, with lots of cops present for today's march to Union Square and the official protest home page reporting at least 80 arrests.

Folks on the ground photographed several of the arrests—which, the New York Times reports, were for alleged disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and assault on a police officer. Some Twitterers reported that NYPD officers targeted protesters with cameras and people who tried to film the day's events. Besides maybe getting a bit huffy with a cop (or talking with his hands too wildly?), taking photos seems to be the only "crime" committed by the young man in the above video—who was thrown to the ground while standing in what seems to be a non-threatening manner. Maybe he was much more intimidating in person? Maybe we're missing something? Seems a bit excessive.

Speaking of excessive, the video at left seems to show an NYPD officer spraying mace at a group of quarantined female protesters. This is what democracy looks like!

One Twitterer wrote that that NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly paid a visit, most likely to ask where he could purchase a Guy Fawkes mask. Wonder what he's going to say about these videos.

If you'd like to play armchair legal observer and watch the drama unfold from the safety and comfort of your computer room, this protest live-feed will serve your needs (and probably won't lead to you getting arrested or maced):

[YouTube via Diceylee808]