Despite the demand of Occupy protesters, Mayor R.T. Rybak refused Tuesday to issue a blanket condemnation of the police department's handling of an Occupy demonstration on Saturday night where 12 people were arrested.

But he encouraged the activists, who are part of the nationwide movement that has opposed Wall Street, the banks and big business, to provide information on specific incidents that the police will review. About 75 protesters who packed into a room at City Hall to meet with the mayor, generally left unsatisfied with his remarks and those of Police Chief Tim Dolan who stood by Rybak's side as the two men responded to questions.

Rybak said that an incident in whiche an officer knocked the camera out of the hands of KSTP television cameraman Chad Nelson during the demonstration "appeared to be inappropriate" and he said improper actions would be condemned.

Dolan joined Rybak in urging protesters to bring their concerns to the department, promising to have them reviewed by the department's internal affairs unit and said "there will be consequences" for police misbehavior.

Sam Richards, 20, a protest organizer, said that once the demonstrators had been told by police last Saturday to take down the tents they pitched on Peavey Plaza, they left and went on a march to the Hennepin County Government Center plaza to resume their activities. But along the way, he said, they were "attacked" by police. He said he was standing on the sidewalk, and was grabbed by police, and arrested.

Dolan said that police needed to clear the streets and he was told protesters were given warnings first, which is police protocol. But several protesters at the meeting shouted that no warnings were given.

"What I saw was a clear cut case of police brutality," said Dingane Xaba, an Occupy activist, who said blacks are also the victims of brutality in neighborhoods.

Dolan said if there is police brutality, he would condemn it and said officers have been dismissed for such behavior. But he said he needed specifics.

Asked by Mel Reeves, a member of a group called Occupy the Hood, what Rybak would do to hold police accountable, the mayor said there's not an easy answer, but said he does hold officers accountable. One protester asked Rybak if the charges would be dropped against the 12 persons who were arrested for blocking traffic on Saturday, and Rybak said he would give the case to Dolan for review.