NEW YORK CITY-A metal barricade surrounding the 33,000-square-foot Zuccotti Park has been removed after a public outcry from local nonprofit groups and community advocates prompted the city to act. In response to a letter from the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the New York City chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, property owner Brookfield Office Properties and the New York City Police Department removed the barriers based on claims that the fence rules were “arbitrary” and restricted public access to the park.

"We're pleased the city is finally giving the park back to the people," says NYCLU executive director Donna Lieberman, in a statement. "We hope Zuccotti Park can now resume its rightful place as a center for meeting and protest in New York City."

On Monday, the groups sent the letter to the city’s Department of Buildings commissioner Robert LiMandri requesting that open access to the park be given to all members of the public, urging that the rules surrounding the security at the site were “inconsistent” based on a 1968 special zoning permit that established the park as a “permanently open park” for “the public benefit.”