"On Thursday, the 22nd, I was pepper sprayed. I was grabbed by the back of the neck and thrown to the ground by police officers," said Colin Donnaruma, an Occupy Albany member.
We have heard stories like that since the December day occupiers were told it was time to leave Academy Park. The Albany Police Chief and City answered questions about what they say happened leading up to the police and protester clash.
"The initial police presence was minimal because I did not want to create a confrontational atmosphere. As more protesters arrived at the park and the crowd began to become increasingly agitated, we slowly increased police presence," said Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff.
The Chief says during that time officers and members of the Department of General Services were being harassed, even threatened. Still, Krokoff says his officers remained calm.
When protesters carried their information tent around the city, Krokoff says they made a decision to have officers provide protection for occupiers and the rest of the city.
But when the occupiers came back to Academy Park and appeared to start moving again, Krokoff says he couldn't let them shut down traffic more. The mounted officers moved in to move the protesters away from the tent.
"As they continued to try and steer that horse away from the tent they were going to cause injury," said Krokoff. That's when Krokoff says one of his officers had no choice but to use pepper spray to move protesters away from the horse.
"I have not seen videos of people pulling at reins or striking the horse," said Nicole Higgins, and Occupy Albany member.
Occupy Albany members disputed much of what they heard.
"I demand, based on the obvious inaccurate statements coming from the Police Chief, a full independent investigation," said Bradley Russell, an occupier.
The Chief stood by his department's actions, saying the only people who should feel shame are the protesters he says were not peaceful and the council members he says have been twisting the truth for political gain.
Despite the frustrations, each party did mention moving forward and trying to improve relationships along the way.
The shooting death of 19-year-old NahCream Moore also came up at the City Council meeting. Some community members were calling for an independent investigation into that incident too.
