NOPD, Louisiana State Police and Tulane cops clear out protest overnight

In a show of force, police ended the encampment protest at Tulane University early this morning.

When it was over a heap of tables, chairs, tents and other items was left.  Crews were hauling everything away around sunrise.

NOPD reports at least 14 arrests.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says they moved in to "peacefully disperse" the demonstration.

She said it was about balance.

"We wanted people to have voice," Kirkpatrick explained. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to peacefully remove themselves."

She says those who refused to leave after they were told they were trespassing were arrested.

Some protesters complained they were injured, while others said they were arrested on public property after leaving the campus.

The New Orleans Independent Police Monitor Stella Cziment was on the scene for the clearing of the encampment.

Her office is charged with making sure police operate within the law.

Chief Kirkpatrick said everything they did was on video and Cziment has full access to that.

The monitor did tell reporters that cops were within the law to make arrests on public property of individuals who had previously been trespassing on private property.