Police arrested at least eight people involved in the Occupy Raleigh demonstration after they refused to leave a sidewalk in front of the State Capitol this afternoon.

State Capitol Police told a dozen or so Occupy Raleigh demonstrators about 45 minutes ago ago that they have until 3 p.m. to move all their camp chairs, tables, and coolers off the sidewalk.

Demonstrators in sympathy with Occupy Wall Street in New York have maintained a presence outside the old State Capitol since Oct. 15. They now sit along a fence on Morgan Street that separates the sidewalk from the Capitol grounds.

The fence is festooned with posters and blankets. Police said told demonstrators to move those fence hangings, too.