Protesters pepper-sprayed at Occupy event in Phoenix

PHOENIX - Police have arrested several members of Occupy Phoenix who moved to Westin Kierland Resort Wednesday morning to protest the American Legislative Exchange Summit.

ALEC is a yearly summit which allows state legislators, from all 50 states, to meet with private sector representatives, industry leaders, and experts.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Trent Crump confirmed seven arrests for various charges, including obstructing government operations, criminal damage and assaulting an officer, were made at the demonstration.

According to Crump, several anarchists joined the movement and crowds tried to push their way through the police line on the resort property.

Officers used pepper spray on the aggressive participants, which was effective in stopping their actions, Crump said.

However, some protesters questioned why there were targeted.

"I stood there with a peace sign and police officers armed with chemical weapons sprayed me twice," said Yuvan Ramirez, a protester who said he was hit with pepper spray.

Crump said officers only sprayed aggressive protesters.

"I've heard reports it's from everything from blocking the street to being here protesting and obviously those are incorrect. Pepper spray was used when the few people in the crowd became aggressive towards the officers," said Crump.

Several issues are set to be discussed at the ALEC summit, including job creation, healthcare, education, energy, and fiscal responsibility.

Occupy Phoenix members say the summit is an example of how corporations influence government policies. 

Occupy Phoenix organizers tell ABC15 the demonstration will allow them to get their message to legislators and raise awareness in the community.

Alex Soto, an Occupy Phoenix volunteer, says legislators should focus on the 99 percent and not corporations. "We are the 99 percent," is the movement's slogan which references economic inequality.

For more than one month, demonstrators have occupied Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Phoenix. 

Roughly a dozen protesters were at the site Tuesday.

Although numbers have dwindled in recent weeks, Occupy Phoenix says support is still strong nationally. 

Occupy Phoenix is part of a national movement with a goal to stop corporate greed and economic inequality.

According to its website, ALEC is a non-profit association which promotes free markets and limited government. Agenda notes can be found on its website.

To view a live feed from Occupy Phoenix, visit the live stream website.

To read more about ALEC, visit its website.