Police in the western state of California have begun clearing dozens of anti-Wall Street protesters from a plaza in front of Oakland's city hall.

Officers began arresting demonstrators early Tuesday morning, placing them in plastic handcuffs and tearing down their makeshift shelters.

The demonstrators camped out in the area for two weeks as part of the national Occupy Wall Street movement.

Initially city hall officials were supportive of the demonstrators allowing them to occupy the plaza. But the city later issued orders for them to vacate the area citing concerns about fire hazards, sanitation, and acts of violence at the site.

The Occupy movement has sprung up in outdoor parks and squares in major cities across the United States.

Goals of the demonstrations have varied, ranging from an end to U.S. foreign military action, raising taxes on the wealthy, more emphasis on government social spending and learning how to live in a donation-based outdoor community.

Protesters have said they hoped the movement would last until at least the next U.S. presidential and Congressional elections in November 2012.