Thursday, October 13, 2011

Protesters Want to Occupy Detroit for 60 Days

Last Updated: October 13. 2011 6:52PM

Protesters want to 'occupy' Detroit for 60 days

Kim Kozlowski/ The Detroit News

Plans are under way for the Occupy Detroit movement on Friday but it became an issue for city officials since petitions were filed late and the occupation on Grand Circus Park is planned for 60 days.

"It's a city-owned area," Dan Lijana, spokesman for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, said of the Grand Circus Park. "Normally people want to stay 3-4 days. Because of 60 days, it's a different kind of ball game."

Organizers also filed petitions late to City Council so actually they haven't presented anything to anyone, Lijana said. Officials were meeting on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Late Thursday afternoon, Mayor Dave Bing and Police Chief Ralph L. Godbee, Jr. issued the following joint statement on the Occupy Detroit demonstration: "We are working to ensure that all citizens are able to assemble and express themselves peacefully and in accordance with the law."

As the event drew near, organizers were working to firm up logistics such as parking, bathrooms, electricity and food deliveries.

The group — inspired by the protests on Wall Street seeking social, political and economic change — plans to meet at 4 p.m. Friday at the Spirit of Detroit statute on Woodward. It will then march to Grand Circus Park and begin an occupation with tents and more.

It is unclear how many people will attend but 4,700 people have "liked" the Occupy Detroit page on Facebook.

Detroit police plan to monitor the event, said Sgt. Eren Stephens.

Streets will not be shut down because at this point, the group has not applied for a permit, she said.

"While they are here, they have to obey the rules and regulations and policies," Stephens said.

Meanwhile, a handful of people were communicating online about the event, encouraging people to respect one another's differences.

Organizers are stressing that it will be a peaceful demonstration, while at least some people had other concerns.

"No more bongos, outrageous costumes or Guy Fawkes masks!" one person on Facebook wrote. "We need to be taken seriously."

kkozlowski@detnews.com
(313) 222-2024

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111013/METRO/110130450/Protesters-want-to--occupy--Detroit-for-60-days#ixzz1aiwvUaEm

No comments: