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Occupy SF Protesters Return After Raid, Face Off With Police

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- An Occupy SF general assembly meeting took place Wednesday night after it was interrupted by police earlier.

Officers in riot gear appear to have backed off after facing off with the crowd at Justin Herman Plaza for several hours.

A protester was taken to a hospital during the standoff between officers.

The man, who identified himself as Chris, was one of three men who were handcuffed at Wednesday night's demonstration.

Chris was lying face down and visibly shaking and fellow protesters called for medical assistance.

According to protesters, it was around a half hour before emergency crews responded.

Emergency responders arrived around 7:30 p.m. and were cheered on by the crowd as they lifted Chris onto a gurney and took him to get medical treatment.

The woman who ran "mic check" at Wednesday's general assembly meeting said that Chris was conscious when they took him away.

PHOTOS: Occupy SF Attempts To Retake Plaza

One tent has been pitched atJustin Herman Plaza on Wednesday night and around three-dozen protesters are surrounding the tent, which was pitched on the bocce ball courts at the plaza. The tent is propping up a sign that reads, "You don't need a weatherman to see which way the wind blows."

The crowd gathered at the plaza Wednesday evening for a general assembly meeting after a day of protests in response to a police raid of the Occupy SF encampment early on Wednesday morning.

The protesters gathered Wednesday night to discuss the future of the movement, according to a protester named Ryan.

"We've peacefully retaken the plaza," Ryan said earlier Wednesday evening. "It's pretty beautiful."

Ryan said the demonstrators are considering what steps to take now after the encampment was dismantled Wednesday morning.

"We're moving into phase two, the next step of our movement," Ryan said.

At 6:30 p.m., officers began issuing orders for dispersal and moved in on the crowd, according to Ryan.

Police arrested at least two protesters during demonstrations Wednesday afternoon and around 85 people were arrested during the raid on Wednesday morning.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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