UPDATE: Local TV livestream here. "They're attacking everybody down here!"
Occupy Denver activists just read a statement of non-violent resistance and affirmation of their rights to police, after an altercation earlier today. Their last line: "Remember your oath."
DENVER - Police say more than half-a-dozen Occupy Denver protesters were arrested on Saturday after they say protesters wanted to occupy the capitol.
Denver Police say they knew there was going to be a protest on Saturday and wanted to keep the event peaceful. Officers say the protesters wanted protest inside the capitol, which is illegal.
Of the seven arrested, police say two were arrested for assault.
"Unfortunately at one point, that group did try to occupy the capital, which is illegal. We made sure that they knew that, it was pretty clear that they were not allowed to do that, they tried to do it anyway," Lt. Matt Murray with the Denver Police Department said. "We had to step in and push them off. Things escalated; we did have to call out city-wide for assistance."
According to Gov. Hickenlooper's office, protesters need a permit to protest on the steps of the capitol. Protesting inside is illegal.
Officers say the incident escalated after police tried to stop protesters from putting up tents in front of the capitol.
"The police started tearing down the tents and one guy, he just refused to leave," Chris Orchard, a witness at the protests, said. "Police said get back, but you know, they just kept moving forward. Finally, the police just took out the mace."
DPD says officers used "non-lethal agents," like pepper spray and paintball-like balls full of tear gas, to subdue the crowd.
"We did have an officer who was pushed off his motorcycle and we had two officers who were kicked," Murray said. "When it escalated to that point, we made a city-wide call [for backup]."
