Occupy Protester stabs police officer in the hand on New Year's eve

New York Police arrested 68 Occupy Wall Street demonstrators on New Year’s Eve after the protesters started tearing down down barricades surrounding New York City’s Zuccotti Park, the former home of their encampment that was dismantled several weeks ago.

A 28-year-old male demonstrator was charged with assault on a police officer after stabbing a police officer who had been trying to arrest him, CNN reported. [He also threw an object at a police van - Reuters]

The officer, who was stabbed on the hand, was treated at Bellevue Hospital and released. The suspect in this incident had been arrested twice before for obstructing government property, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

According to Reuters, "Occupy organizers had urged protesters to reclaim the lower Manhattan park as part of a "New Year’s Revolution.” Demonstrators strung lights and danced atop of torn-down barricades before police moved in."