POLICE have clashed with protesters for a second time at the fenced-off City Square in Melbourne.

About 400 Occupy Melbourne demonstrators stopped at the square during a march from Trades Hall to Treasury Gardens, where a second occupation is planned.



As dog squad officers stood in the square, a mob of protesters shook the cyclone fence.



About 20 police forced themselves between the fence and the crowd, scuffling with demonstrators.

Earlier today, the protesters marched without incident up Swanston St to Trades Hall carrying pink roses and giving peace signs.

They are now making their way to Treasury Gardens to vote on whether they should occupy the gardens next Saturday.

Protesters have liaised with police about a campsite but Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has threatened to serve them with an eviction notice if they set up camp within the City of Melbourne.

Occupy Sydney protesters condemn Melbourne clashes

Activists in Sydney say they will hold a peaceful rally to mark their first week of occupation in the city.

Occupy Sydney protesters condemned police after violent clashes in Melbourne and said their occupation had been nothing but "peaceful and positive".



"We will be welcoming thousands of people into Martin Place from all walks of life to celebrate the first week of continual occupation," Occupy Sydney spokeswoman Wenny Theresia said in a statement today.

The activists have decided to stay outside the Reserve Bank's headquarters rather than picket the offices of big corporations.

About 400 people massed at Martin Place in the city centre shortly after midday (AEDT) as a contingent of more than 50 riot police stood by.

The number was far less than the 1000-strong crowd an Occupy Sydney spokeswoman had predicted on Saturday morning.

Sydney businesses have called for the protest "shanty town" to be removed from Martin Place, saying it shrinks to as few as 20 during the day but swells at night.



There are no immediate plans to move the Sydney group on, with Police Minister Mike Gallacher's spokesman saying the protest remained peaceful and would continue to be monitored.



In contrast, Victoria Police Commissioner Stephen Fontana said the protesters had had "more than ample time to make their point".



Protest chaos on Melbourne streets



About 100 people yesterday defied an order to leave the City Square camp by 9am and about 12.30pm police began dragging people away. Mr Fontana denied officers had used excessive force amid reports some had used choke holds on protesters.



"It's very difficult to move in and separate people who don't want to move," he said.



About 20 protesters and two officers suffered minor injuries and eight police cars were damaged in the clashes, which blocked major city intersections and public transport for most of the day.



Police arrested at least 50 people but had to boost their ranks to more than 400 as protest numbers swelled to about 500 as word of the plan to evict them spread.



Protesters promised more disruption today, tweeting plans to storm Flinders St Station as crowds head to the Cox Plate and threatening to target Queen Elizabeth's visit next week.

With the Daily Telegraph