Occupy protesters clash with police in California

At least four anti-capitalist protesters were hurt in clashes with police in California.

The peaceful protest that shut down the port of Oakland ended in violence when police in riot gear arrested dozens of protesters overnight who broke into a vacant building, shattered windows, sprayed graffiti and started fires.

At least four Occupy Wall Street protesters were treated in hospital, including one needing stitches after fighting with an officer, police said. Several officers were also injured.

“We go from having a peaceful movement to now just chaos,” said protester Monique Agnew, 40.

Protesters also threw concrete chunks, metal pipes, lit roman candles and Molotov cocktails.

Several thousand people converged on the Port of Oakland, the nation’s fifth-busiest harbour, in a nearly five-hour protest.

They blocked exits and streets with illegally parked vehicles and hastily erected, chain-link fences.

Port spokesman Isaac Kos-Read said evening operations had been “effectively shut down”.

Port officials hoped to resume maritime operations today.

Supporters in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and elsewhere staged smaller-scale demonstrations. Each group said its protest was a show of support for the Oakland movement, which became a rallying point when an Iraq War veteran was seriously injured in a clash with police last week.