Occupy Chicago spokesman Joshua Kaunert vowed after the arrests that the demonstrators would be coming back.

“We’re not going anywhere. There are still plenty of us,” Kaunert told The Associated Press after police carried out the arrests for more than hour.

Police began taking people into custody just before 1 a.m. Sunday, first taking people away one by one and then in groups to vans and two large white buses. Some waiting to be arrested shouted to police: “Take me next! Take me next!” Others chanted: “We’ll be back!“

Officers had begun placing metal barricades around the part of Chicago’s Grant Park known as Congress Plaza about 11:10 p.m. Saturday, minutes after the park had closed. Soon after that, police went through the crowd and warned people to leave or risk arrest for remaining in the closed park in violation of a city ordinance.

Several of the protesters who remained inside the barricades in the park sat on the ground in the chilly Chicago night air. Others locked arms and then the arrests began as trickle before picking up speed.

Police said they made approximately 100 arrests early Sunday but did not have a specific count. Kaunert said he expected the final figure to be higher after some late arrests but police did not immediate return later calls seeking comment.

Kaunert said arrests were made without violence.

“Everybody was very peaceful and smiling and there was no violence, though a lot of chanting,” he added.