PORTLAND, Ore. -- Homeless people who were camped outside Portland's City Hall since late April were swept away by police Thursday morning.

Officers at the scene said protesters were forced to move so cleaning crews could clean the sidewalk.

The protesters want the city to suspend its anti-camping and anti-loitering laws. While protesting is legal, camping in front of City Hall is not.

After the sidewalk is cleaned, police said they will allow people to walk or protest in front of City Hall again. However, they said officers will enforce applicable laws related to camping and sleeping.

There were no arrests made during the sidewalk closing. Thirty minutes later, however, police said 20-year-old Andrew Newman was taken into custody on charges of interfering with a police officer. Officers said he refused to get out of the street.