Occupy LA protesters set to stay
Source: Agencies |
November 28, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
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THE protesters whose tents line the lawn of Los Angeles City Hall made it clear they received the eviction notice issued by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Whether they'll heed it is much less certain.
With hours left before the 12:01am deadline today the mayor and the police chief gave for Occupy LA, very few of the occupiers were packing, and many were instead making plans for what to do when they stay.
Some handed out signs on Saturday mocked up to look like the city's notices to vacate, advertising an "eviction block party" this morning.
Dozens attended a teach-in on resistance tactics, including how to stay safe in the face of rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and pepper spray.
Police gave few specifics about what tactics they would use if protesters ignored the deadline.
Chief Charlie Beck said at Friday's news conference officers would definitely not be sweeping through the camp and arresting everyone just after midnight.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published yesterday, Beck said that despite the lack of confrontation in the camp's two-month run, he's realistic about what might happen.
"I have no illusions that everybody is going to leave," Beck said. "We anticipate that we will have to make arrests."
But he added, "We certainly will not be the first ones to apply force."
Villaraigosa announced on Friday that despite his sympathy for the protesters' cause, it was time for the camp of nearly 500 tents to leave for the sake of public health and safety.
The mayor said the movement is at a "crossroads," and it must "move from holding a particular patch of park to spreading the message of economic justice."
But occupiers showed no signs of giving up the patch of park too easily.
Will Picard, who sat Saturday in a tent amid his artwork with a "notice of eviction" sign posted outside, said the main organizers and most occupiers he knows intend to stay.
With hours left before the 12:01am deadline today the mayor and the police chief gave for Occupy LA, very few of the occupiers were packing, and many were instead making plans for what to do when they stay.
Some handed out signs on Saturday mocked up to look like the city's notices to vacate, advertising an "eviction block party" this morning.
Dozens attended a teach-in on resistance tactics, including how to stay safe in the face of rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and pepper spray.
Police gave few specifics about what tactics they would use if protesters ignored the deadline.
Chief Charlie Beck said at Friday's news conference officers would definitely not be sweeping through the camp and arresting everyone just after midnight.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published yesterday, Beck said that despite the lack of confrontation in the camp's two-month run, he's realistic about what might happen.
"I have no illusions that everybody is going to leave," Beck said. "We anticipate that we will have to make arrests."
But he added, "We certainly will not be the first ones to apply force."
Villaraigosa announced on Friday that despite his sympathy for the protesters' cause, it was time for the camp of nearly 500 tents to leave for the sake of public health and safety.
The mayor said the movement is at a "crossroads," and it must "move from holding a particular patch of park to spreading the message of economic justice."
But occupiers showed no signs of giving up the patch of park too easily.
Will Picard, who sat Saturday in a tent amid his artwork with a "notice of eviction" sign posted outside, said the main organizers and most occupiers he knows intend to stay.
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