Early reports estimated 40 protesters were arrested after hundreds of police arrived and dispersed the crowd with a show of force and clouds of OC gas.
The crowd, comprised largely of University of Pittsburgh students, began to form around 9 p.m. and quickly swelled to several hundred people. As the crowd grew, so too, did police, who arrived in riot gear with helmets and plastic shields.
Around 10:30, more than 400 people had gathered in the plaza, and police ordered the crowd to disperse.
More and more police arrived on the scene and eventually encircled the crowd.
"If you do not disperse, you may be arrested," an officer said. "By order of the Pittsburgh police, I hereby declare this an unlawful assembly."
Officers then released OC gas and used a Long Range Acoustic Device, designed to break up crowds with a piercing noise.
Police launched smoke grenades and more OC gas at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. Many students began running and screaming to avoid getting caught in the gas.
Around 11:15, many of the remaining protesters were herded onto the lawn between the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel, where they were forced to lie the ground and were placed under arrest.
Traffic on Forbes Avenue was at a standstill and backed up for blocks.
As police began to try to break up the large crowd, some of the protesters and students taunted a line of police that advanced down Forbes Avenue toward Bouquet Street.
"How do you feel shooting students?" one protester yelled.
"We're not doing anything. I don't understand what's going on," said Lauren George, a Pitt senior who said she came outside to see what was happening.
She said she was gassed and became ill and vomited Thursday night while standing outside and waiting for a table at Fuel and Fuddle on Oakland Avenue.
A flier circulated yesterday encouraging people to come to Schenley Plaza at 10 p.m.
University of Pittsburgh students were advised to stay inside last night, and many have received alerts from the university via voicemail or text messages.
Junior Sean Malloy said he received a phone message saying, "conditions may be deteriorating in Oakland. Students are advised to remain near their residences.
Sadie Gurman contributed to this report.
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