Police Cracking Down After Occupy Dallas Confrontation

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - There will be consequences following yesterday's clash between members of the Occupy Dallas movement and police.

That was the warning Tuesday from Dallas police who said there will be strict monitoring of the Occupy Dallas campsite near Dallas City Hall.

Several more officers could be seen around the perimeter of the campsite today.

It could be the result of Monday's confrontation as well as concerns after a 14-year-old runaway was found there.

The 23 protestors who were arrested during the confrontation bonded out of the Dallas County Jail Tuesday morning.

Some of their fellow protestors demonstrated outside the jail until they were released.

One of those arrested is Oscar Gonzales, an unemployed bartender who now considers himself a former political prisoner of his movement.  "I actually had to be re-cuffed several times because my hands turned purple," he said.  "So that wasn't very nice but I think it was worth it."

Gonzales and others returned Tuesday afternoon to the protest group's campsite, where there were accusations that police went too far during yesterday's demonstration, which blocked the entrance to a downtown bank.

"It could have been handled in a better way," said group spokeswoman Kristi Lara.

And she says the group can't promise there won't be another physical confrontation with officers.

"We will remain peaceful, but whether or not legalities are crossed is a secondary issue."

Police patrols are a constant sight around the tents where protestors have been living for three weeks.

And officers say they will conduct curfew checks for school age children after a 14-year-old female runaway was found here over the weekend.

While the protests can be loud and defiant, the campground has a quiet, welcoming atmosphere.

Protestors say they follow the lead of the Occupy Wall Street, so if people there are arrested for civil disobedience, you can expect it to happen here soon after.