300 arrested in Occupy street clashes

It was the most turbulent day of protests since November, when Oakland police forcefully dismantled an Occupy encampment.

The Occupy movement denounces corporate excess and economic inequality.

The mayor, Jean Quan, who faced heavy criticism for the police action last autumn, called on the movement to “stop using Oakland as its playground”.

Authorities say protesters clashed with police throughout yesterday, at times throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at officers. The protests grew as the day wore on with an estimated 2,000 demonstrators at one point.

Oakland, New York and Los Angeles were among the cities with the largest and most vocal Occupy protests early on. The demonstrations ebbed after city officials used force to move out hundreds from tent cities.