Police action has escalated in several cities in response to activists. In New York City activists attempted to demonstrate on the corner of Broadway and Wall Street, police barricaded the sidewalks and roadways preventing entry. Approximately 2,000 activists broke away from the main group. A few decided to move forward and go through the barricades knowing it would likely result in arrest.
Once in position activists and reporters went forward and were met by officers who proceeded to spray them with mace. White shirt commanders were swinging batons and one commander was swinging a baton like a baseball bat. A woman could be heard screaming. A Fox5 news reporter was hit with a baton and sprayed with mace. The entire skirmish lasted no more than five minutes and resulted in 20 arrests.
In Chicago, police informed activists that they had to keep mobile due to city ordinances regarding camping on the streets. They have developed a mobile operation that allows them to continue to demonstrate in front of the Federal Reserve building and keep the peace with law enforcement at the same time. Occupy Chicago has had a good relationship with officers since day one of their demonstrations.
In St Louis, activists sleeping overnight in Kiener Plaza were arrested for trespassing and being out after curfew. People are not allowed to be in the park between the hours of 10pm and 6am. 70 officers arrived at the scene and ordered the activists to vacate the premises immediately or be arrested. 10 people were arrested. There were 7 officers for every activist arrested.
In San Francisco, activists received a notice from the city and the county requiring them to take down their camp by midnight. They received the notice only a couple of hours ago. They have sent out 50 police officers to remove them. There is no word at the time of this publication how many may have been arrested.
Notice
The City and County of San Francisco and its police department celebrate and protect the right of an individual to engage in free speech and of the right to assemble. However, this encampment is a violation of the law. For those involved in the encampment at the Federal Reserve Bank, you are in violation of one or more of the following local ordinances or state laws:
· Open flames on a city street or sidewalk without a permit from the department of Public Works and the San Francisco Fire department (Section 105.6.32 Fire Code – open flame, LP Gas 3801.2 FC, Gas 105.6 and 105.7 FC)
· Disorderly conduct-lodging in any building, structure, vehicle, or place, whether public or private (647(e) Penal Code)
· Public nuisance 581 Health Code
· Preparing or serving food without a permit
· Permit required for temporary occupancy of the street and/or sidewalk
· Civil sidewalk violations (168 MPC)
Accordingly, you are being ordered to take down this structure. Refusal to comply and/or obstruction of our efforts to remove the structure may result in your arrest.
The City’s homeless outreach team will provide, for those who wish, support for shelter. The Department of Public Works will store your property if you do not have the means to take it with you.
In Seattle 25 activists were arrested after refusing to take down tents in Westlake Park located near the downtown federal building. Activists had been there since late September, but it wasn’t until Wednesday when Mayor Mike McGinn decided to enforce city ordinance. Park rangers arrived with 30 officers to confront the 200 activists. They were told they could be in the park between the hours of 4am and 10pm, but they could not have tents, sleeping bags, blankets, or “lounge” in the park.
Cities are becoming more aggressive in enforcing ordinances as the demonstrations grow in an effort to discourage the number of people participating or to end the demonstrations altogether. Statements give the usual cursory nod to First Amendment rights and the patronizing reasoning that the demonstrations are preventing others from enjoying the parks. Instead of discouraging the activists it strengthens their resolve to stay and to find ways to work within the boundaries of the ordinances.
Protests are similar to a 100 yard dash. They are a one-time event meant to draw attention to an issue and come to what the organizers hope is a satisfactory resolution. A Movement has a much larger purpose. It is like a marathon. There are many complex and varied issues that are intertwined together that require endurance, perseverance and thoughtful consideration. They are born out of passion, an awakening of the spirit, when injustices have become so intolerable that the only thing a person can do is stand up and say “We are the 99% and we will not allow the 1% to make the rules anymore.”
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