Riot police have staged a major operation in central Sydney to move anti-corporate Occupy Sydney protestors out of Martin Place.
Around 200 officers swooped on the square, and protesters say around 50 people were arrested.
The remaining protesters were moved out of the square and down Elizabeth Street. A small group of protesters remain in Hyde Park.
Protester Time spokesman Davis Frank says riot police turned up around 5.00am (ADST).
"Seeing people who have been peaceful for eight days, crying and screaming in pain after they were woken up out of their sleep - it doesn't make any sense," he said.
Protestor Amber Wallace says she was given just minutes to pack up before being moved.
"We didn't even get enough time to talk to our neighbour about what was going on," she said.
Another protestor says he was assaulted by officers.
"I screamed, I was saying 'release the handcuffs, loosen the handcuffs my arm is going to break' - I said it over and over," he said.
Police have confirmed an operation is underway to move people out of Martin Place who are in breach of Sydney of City regulations.
They last night charged two people involved in the protest with assaulting a police officer after they refused an order to disperse.
The Occupy Sydney protest started last week in response to the world wide movement began in New York against what protesters describe as corporate greed.
