21 Wall Street Protesters Arrested In Denver

Colorado protesters say they plan to keep up their show of support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, even after an early morning raid on their camp outside the state Capitol on Friday led to 21 arrests.

According to Colorado State Patrol, the demonstrators were arrested under the charge of “Unlawful Conduct on Public Property” which is a class 2 misdemeanor. Each charge could potentially carry a sentence of 3 months to a year in jail.

CSP says they issued a warning to protesters to take down tents and ordered them to leave Lincoln Park in Denver.

One of the organizers of Occupy Denver, Michelle Lessans, is calling on protesters to return Saturday for a march, rally and meeting to plot their next move. Organizers say marches or meetings are also planned over the next few days in Boulder and Pueblo.

The Denver protesters had been camped for as long as three weeks in Lincoln Park when Gov. John Hickenlooper toured their camp on Thursday and then ordered the protesters to leave by 11 p.m.

Many of the protesters defied the orders and stayed, leading to early morning confrontations with police Friday.

The Denver demonstrators say they’re protesting Wall Street excesses and the economic clout of the wealthy.