Protesters, tents gone from Niagara Sq.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Early Thursday morning, the protesters of "Occupy Buffalo" were evicted from Niagara Square.

Buffalo Police, a SWAT team, and city officials ordered the protesters to vacate Niagara Square in the middle of the night.  The protesters' permit to remain in Niagara Square expired on Wednesday.

Many of the protesters left on their own but 10 people were arrested when they refused to listen to the orders to leave.

Tents were torn up and all of the protesters' personal belongings were hauled away until there was nothing but grass and hay left on the ground.

Occupy Buffalo and the City of Buffalo have had a cooperative relationship for the past four months. But that changed on Wednesday when City officials offered the protesters a five-week extension to their permit to remain in Niagara Square.  The five weeks was meant, City officials say, to allow the group to  plan their next phase and then leave the square.  Many members of the Occupy movement didn't think the new agreement was fair.

City officials say they would have helped Occupy Buffalo plan their next move during the five-week period. They say they are disappointed that a forceful evacuation was necessary.

Next weekend is " Winterfest" which will take place in the area around Niagara Square this year.

Thursday morning, around 9:30 a.m., some of the evicted protesters will meet on the steps of City Hall to rally support for those who were arrested overnight.