Written by
Associated Press
the inside of Occupy's tent of dreams (Bruce Leshan/WUSA)
The man who tore the Occupy DC tent (Bruce Leshan/WUSA)
WASHINGTON (AP/WUSA) - A U.S. District judnge says that the federal government must notify Occupy encampments in DC if it intends to close the park to protesters. The judge also ruled on Tuesday that protesters will get to contest any eviction plans.
But he also ruled out a restraining order requested by protestors to prevent the police from enforcing a ban on camping US Park Service land in the city.
The early morning hours on Tuesday featured a tense standoff between U.S. Park Police and protestors at McPherson Square. U.S. Park Police told Occupy protesters that their camping at the site needed to end, but protesters weren't going anywhere and police hadn't moved in to clear them. Park Police did tell protestors to take a tent down that was draped over the statue.
This week, Park Police reminded demonstrators at two Washington sites where Occupy protesters have been demonstrating for months of a no-camping rule. There were no arrests on Monday. The Park Service gave no indication Monday night of when they might enforce the no-camping rule.
READ: Occupy DC Injunction (PDF)
READ: National Park Service Response (PDF)
Eleven hours after the deadline for eviction had passed, protesters stood their ground, but a few protesters rolled up sleeping bags and blankets, but the tents remained.
Sgt. David Schlosser, a Park Police spokesman, said officers had begun enforcing the camping ban Monday by reminding demonstrators of the regulation. He said some demonstrators had already done so, although he didn't know how many.
He declined to discuss a timeline for eviction, though he said the camping ban pertained not only to sleeping on the grounds but also to possessing bedding materials like blankets. Protesters on Monday hung a blue tarp over a statue in McPherson Square.
The National Park Service had warned protesters Friday at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza that those who violate the camping rule will be subject to arrest.