Occupy Wall St. Protests: Live Blog

Oct. 5, 2011 -- For latest, follow Gregory Krieg - @gregk_abc

11:59 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : The guys in white, however, were obviously, visibly "up for it." Ugly strategy from the NYPD, whatever their goal. #occupywallst

11:59 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : If there's a problem with the NYPD as goes #OccupyWallSt, it's the White Shirts ("supervisors")... rank and file were calm, respectful.

8:07 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Now we're sitting. Well, I'm standing. Amazed at how orderly the protesters are in choosing next move. Lotsa smiles. http://yfrog.com/hwn71mnj

8:01 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Handful of cops and protesters work together to help out a claustrophobic young man. "Mic check! Everyone relax! You are safe!"

8:00 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Corner of Wall and Broadway now on edge of chaos http://yfrog.com/nuvovwj

7:58 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Girls behind me "just want to get into Victoria's Secret." Sans-culottes, indeed! #OccupyWallStreet

7:57 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc :The White Shirt NYPD now red-faced and out in force. The chant: "Police, join us! They want your pensions, too!" #OccupyWallStreet

7:49 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Not just the protesters taking snaps. NYPD gent taping the crowd. Deliberate. Not missing a face. http://yfrog.com/j2tdaahj

7:48 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports via twitter: @gregk_abc : Now it could get a bit salty. Smaller group now headed to Wall Street proper. Cops shuffling to man the fortress. #OccupyWallStreet

6:38 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports: The march has passed through a narrow corridor along Park Row and back south down Broadway from Foley Square, returning to Zuccotti Park. We've heard reports on crowd size ranging from 2,000 (an officer guessed) and 15,000 (organizers guessed). I'd say it's much closer to the latter. And for every protester, there must be two metal barriers. This is a very tightly-held rage.

A community affairs officer who has been minding the north side of the park since Sept. 17 said his orders have not changed at any point during the "occupation." Keeping people out of car and pedestrian traffic is his only charge, he said.

Asking to remain anonymous, he also spoke about divisions in his own ranks. He likes grassroots radio and WLIB, while some of his colleagues are "more right-wing -- just like any other workplace."

Would he be out with the protesters if he wasn't on duty?

"Yeah, I would, but I'm at work."

And if he was ordered to clear the park?

"I wouldn't whack anyone, and no one's ever asked me to do that. That's not how it is. People think that about anyone in a uniform. Just like they think black guys are drug dealers. But yes, I would do what my captain asked."

What about the arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge?

"They were blocking traffic. Simple."

A man in a teamsters shirt walked by, saying: "Y'all are with us in spirit, right?"

The cop smiled.

The sun is setting now and you can see all the thousands of cameras flashing. Occupy Wall Street reached that point today where it has now looks in on itself. The protesters, at last given the media coverage they so desired, are now taking their own portraits.

Will they be satisfied with what they see? That chapter, it seems, will be theirs to write.

5:47 p.m. ET: ABC News' Gregory J. Krieg reports: Foley Square is a quiet riot. There is not a foot to spare, as it looks like organizers got their dream turnout. The police, too, must be quite pleased. We haven't seen anything like the scenes near Union Square (kettling and mace) or on the Brooklyn Bridge (700 arrested). The one rule: Stay out of the street. For now, everyone seems comfortable on their turf.

There's been a lot of talk about Occupy Wall Street's "demands," or rather the absence of such. And it's true, there is no singular, pithy appeal. But the larger message is quite clear. Nearly everyone I've spoken with agrees that banks and financial institutions need to be taxed more and regulated more thoroughly, and that the money should go toward education (teachers and students facing loan debt), health insurance, homeowners facing foreclosure.

What I've not heard is anything partisan. At all. That's in part by design - organizers have been particular about not alienating potential supporters - but it doesn't seem like anyone needs convincing. They protesters are, seemingly to a man, put off by the Democrats and Republicans in equal measure.

5:29 p.m. ET: ABC News' Aaron Katersky reports: Officially, NYPD doesn't do crowd estimates. But unofficially: 3,000 in Foley Square.

4:52 p.m. ET: Tweet from @OccupyWallStNYC: Foley Square has reached max capacity!!! At least 15k proud ralliers soon returning to #libertysquare #takewallstreet