Barricades surrounding a New York City park that served as a camp for Occupy Wall Street protesters have been removed, and the protesters are celebrating.

The barricades were removed from Zuccotti Park late Tuesday. About 300 protesters began filling the park, cheering and eating lasagna on paper plates. One protester tried to erect a tent, which was quickly taken down by security guards.

On Monday, civil rights groups filed a complaint with the city's buildings department. The complaint said barricades surrounding the park since Nov. 15 interfered with the public's use of it. The park is privately owned but must be open to the public.

Park owner Brookfield Office Properties confirmed that the barricades were removed. The NYPD says the park and police felt the barricades were no longer necessary.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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