POLICE OUST PROTESTERS AT OCCUPY SAN DIEGO

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October 14, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police issued a warning yesterday to Occupy San Diego protesters camped at the Civic Center Plaza downtown to remove their belongings. While participants may continue to stage a sit-in as long as they wish, camping out will no longer be permitted.

 

This morning, police arrested one man and removed tents and personal belongings that remained. Many of the demonstrators have moved to Balboa Park, though it is unclear how long police will permit campers to remain.  The protest attracted upwards of 2,000 or more last Friday night in a march through downtown, including many East County participants. 

 

Around 100 tents had been pitched at the Civic Center Plaza as part of a local effort in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement protesting bail-outs to big banks at a time when ordinary Americans are suffering unemployment and economic hardships.

 

“It's a pretty sad commentary,” said Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight, a government watchdog group in El Cajon, upon hearing of the police action. “Corporations can spend UNLIMITED money -- now regarded as "speech" -- while the 99% cannot even have a tent set up in a public place to express their message,” he wrote in an e-mail message to ECM.

 

Police have indicated removing the belongings was necessary because a World Dance Tour group has a permitted event this weekend for 2,000 people that includes the Civic Center Plaza concourse.
 


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