Arrests of Occupy activists follow California State Capitol protests

Julie Small/KPCC

Thousands march earlier in the day on the state Capitol. Only a few hundred protesters remain.

Arrests began almost two hours after the California Highway Patrol closed the Capitol building Monday night, according to KCRA-3 and Fox News.

Ed Fletcher of the Sacramento Bee and David Bienick of KCRA-3 both report that the arrests seem to be peaceful.

Most of the protesters are walking as they are being led off by two chp officers. #occupycapitol

— Ed Fletcher Sacbee (@NewsFletch) March 6, 2012

Little resistance so far from #occupycapitol protesters ad they're arrested. Led away 1 by 1.

— David Bienick (@kcrabienick) March 6, 2012

Only around 40 protesters remain in the Capitol Monday night after being ordered to disperse by police. California Highway Patrol officers gave the dispersal orders at 6:22 p.m.

The protesters chose to remain after a full day in which thousands of protesters showed up at the Capitol building to demonstrate against rising tuition rates.

Most of the remaining protesters are with the Occupy movement.

63 resisting arrest at #OccupyCapitol . 18 in rotunda and 45 in hallway

— Nick Miller (@NickMillerSNR) March 6, 2012

Outside the building, hundreds of protesters remain, and about 130 police officers in riot gear are flanking one side of the building. A CHP helicopter is circling overhead, reports the Associated Press.

CHP has a bus at the South Garage to transport arrestees from #OccupyCapitol

— Max M (@mmaxtg) March 6, 2012

Four people have already been arrested during the day's rally. They included a 34-year-old man who was arrested earlier in the day for possession of a switchblade knife.

Police now outnumber the protesters.

Evidently, Neo didn't solve the 'Smith' problem in the Matrix Revolutions. They made their way to #occupycapitol... instagr.am/p/H0ELTkSMha/

— Ian Blair (@i2theb) March 6, 2012

This story has been updated.