Occupy Wall Street protesters are celebrating in Lower Manhattan today after successfully defying orders to evacuate the encampment they have held for nearly four weeks. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had said Zuccotti Park — renamed Liberty Plaza by protesters — would have to be cleared following a request by its owners that it be cleaned. But protesters were also told they would be barred from returning with the camping gear they have used to occupy the square in a round-the-clock action that has drawn international attention and sparked parallel actions nationwide. Thousands of people began congregating in the square before sunrise in a show of defiance to the forced evacuation. Hours later, New York City officials announced the request to clear the park had been withdrawn. The decision led to cheers at Liberty Plaza, with protesters chanting their signature rallying cry, “We are the 99 percent.”