Occupy Orlando Says Police Sweep Was Unexpected
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
By: Nicole Creston

October 26, 2011 | WMFE - Occupy Orlando held an impromptu march on City Hall Wednesday in response to what they said was a surprise visit from police Tuesday night at the park where they're camped. Orlando police say the group has been violating city code.

(photo from Occupy Orlando march 10-15-11)

About 60 protesters marched to City Hall Wednesday afternoon from the park next to Orlando’s Chamber of Commerce, where they’ve camped since Occupy Orlando’s October 15^th kickoff march that drew about 1,000 people. About twenty civil disobedience related arrests last weekend had been the only trouble, but Tuesday night police told protesters to get their personal belongings out of the park before its closing. That came as a surprise, says protester Susan, because Occupy Orlando representatives had an informal agreement with the city. 

“In nights past, the police department and the city attorney have allowed us to keep our belongings on property,” she says. “Just the bodies have to move off of the park property.”

City code normally prevents people and property from being in public parks after hours.

Susan says communication between protesters, police and city officials has been ongoing and, at least until Tuesday night, largely smooth and cooperative. She says Occupy Orlando is trying to follow the rules, so most demonstrators complied and removed their belongings from the park.

“We did feel though…that the goal post continued to be moved on us,” Susan says. “And it’s really difficult as an occupation to function well when every day we’re being instructed something different.”

Police removed items left in the park such as food, a generator and an American flag as “found property,” according to records. Officials say owners will be able to reclaim their items from police custody.

In a statement Wednesday, the City of Orlando said it “never had a written agreement to allow the group to leave their belongings in the park.” The Orlando Police Department also released a statement, saying officers confiscated items found in the park after closing Tuesday because “despite being given multiple opportunities to comply with these laws, including moving their public speech activities to nearby sidewalks, some individuals have failed to comply.”

Occupy Orlando plans to continue staying in the park indefinitely, and they’ve scheduled another march November 5^th.