Occupy Richmond Sets Up Camp on Lawn of Mayor’s Neighbor
- Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:16pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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An Occupy Richmond protester carries supplies to the group's newest campsite: Next door to the mayor's home. (Image source: WRVA 1140)
Occupy Richmond has a new home: Right next door to the mayor’s house, on his neighbor’s front lawn.
Protesters moved in Tuesday, pitching tents and hauling in supplies just a driveway over from Richmond, Va. Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ private residence, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
The group had threatened to move in to the mayor‘s neighborhood if he didn’t allow them permits to camp in public parks. They had previously set up an encampment in Kanawha Plaza in downtown Richmond before police broke it up Oct. 31.
When Jones reportedly missed a Monday deadline to respond to their demands, Occupy Richmond took Jones’ neighbor Raymond H. Boone up on an offer to make camp on his four-acre property.
Boone, the publisher of the Richmond Free Press, has been supportive of the Occupy Wall Street movement and first offered Occupy Richmond space, food and water in an editorial last week after they were blocked again from camping in a park.
After the group started setting up Tuesday, one protester estimated about 50 people would be spending the night.
Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood said it doesn’t look like the encampment is in violation of any state laws or city ordinances, though he told the Times-Dispatch: “There are some zoning issues that we‘re going to take a look at to try to refine and make sure that everybody’s in compliance.”
Norwood said he would try to keep a police presence in the neighborhood for as long as the protesters stay — something that appears to be of small comfort to other neighbors in the area, who aren’t taking as kindly to hosting the protesters in their community.
The Times-Dispatch reported:
Amelia Lightner, president of the Brookbury neighborhood association, said some residents viewed the occupation as a safety threat. She said the association represents about 150 homes and will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the situation.
“Would you want them to invade your community and cause congestion in your community?” Lightner said. “This community’s not accustomed to a constant flow of people in and out, not knowing who they are.”
After she and another concerned neighbor, Ray Graham, finished speaking to reporters, two of the demonstrators approached and introduced themselves to Lightner and Graham, making for an awkward exchange.
“How are you today?” asked Jon Lefleor. “I just want to come and say hello and see how you all are doing.”
Graham replied that he pays a mortgage for a nice house in the neighborhood and doesn’t want anybody invading his space.
“I can completely respect that,” Lefleor said, “and I hope that I don‘t infringe upon anybody’s space.”
“Just for the record,” Graham shot back, “you are.”
Raymond H. Boone, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones' next-door neighbor, speaks with protesters who are occupying his lawn. (Image source: WRVA 1140)
Boone downplayed concerns about the protesters’ presence and said he invited them so they could exercise their First Amendment rights.
“The people are not walking around in the neighborhood — they’re on my property,” he said.
He told CBS affiliate WTVR-TV that having Occupy Richmond so close by would give Jones “an opportunity to say where he really stands. Whether he stands with corporate, or whether he stands with the people who elected him.”
Boone and his wife, Jean, welcomed the group to the neighborhood Tuesday and called them modern-day heroes.
“I know, Dwight… he is a wonderful person who has not shared with me why he’s taking the stance that he is,” Jean Boone said, who admitted to being unaware of her husband’s offer until she read about it in the paper. “But he is a man of the cloth, so I have to believe that his heart is in the right place.”
Occupy Richmond protesters set up camp next door to Mayor Dwight C. Jones' home. (Image source: WTVR-TV)
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Comments (306)
poverty.sucks
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:39pmHOA Rules!
Report Post »colt1860
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:38pmThey can camp on my yard. I need new targets for target shooting. Moving ones would be great.
Report Post »bw3131
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:37pmBoone will not allow them to trash his property for long, His lib-hippy ideals will fade quickly once his neat little suburban package is threatend!
Report Post »* The Mayor should not send police support to Boone when the smelly hoards distroy his home, on the grounds that they were invited to live there!
Bigolfascist
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 12:39amI‘m waitin’ fer ‘em to walk into his kitchen for morning coffee and scones. I‘m sure he won’t mind sharing for the next couple of months.
Report Post »Ed Brown
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 5:20amYa’ When Boone wants them out and off his property, let him twist and suffer for a long while. It’ll teach him a lesson.
Report Post »BOGOTSTOGO
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:37pmHow long before Boone gets tired of the trash in his lawn, the constant use of his restrooms, the noise,etc. I think he should expect his homeowners insurance agent pays him a visit to discuss additional liability.
Report Post »Amy
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:35pmBoone can’t seriously think these folks will not take advantage of him. Most of the camp sites in the Richmond area cost money – but this is FREE – and what else? Free food?
The Richmond Free Press? Hahahahahahah!
Report Post »winevine
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:35pmHide yo kids, hide yo wife…
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:34pmFirst bit of noise polution have the authorities come in and arrest them for sound violations.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:48pmI wish some of these folks would set up camp on my doorstep. Please! Oh please! We would have such fun.
Report Post »Ed Brown
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 5:42amNope! These kids don’t even know have to have fun and make noise. They will hunker down in their little tents and breathe in, and breathe out.
Report Post »1947
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:34pmIt looks as though President Obama today has taken his first step towards martial law in America. I just pulled this piece off the wires which indicates the issuance of his new executive order. This order sets up the framework for the use of federal troops and the combination of state and federal agencies under the Defense Department. This is startling news for many reasons. Why now? Why now?
President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors
Report Post »Monday, 11 January 2010 19:07 Press Release Latest National News
12766
RLTW
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:54pmIf true, it’s just in time for the OWS/(or whatever they call themselves by than) spring offensive. From the beginning of all the nudging / and pushing 3 yrs ago it’s clear they need violence.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 12:28amFrom what I just read the “Council” will have 10 governors appointed for two year terms, 5 from each party and then 10 other members from the President’s cabinet/Czars. That makes 15 for him, 5 for the other side….yeah that seems like a fair vote. (sarc)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2426269/posts
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 3:04amTHANK YOU. Finally something worthwhile reading here. This is the real story. How soon we all forget that our Army has constant training in implementing martial law. I love you guys as brothers, just please don’t forget the Oath. Obeying chain of command is primary for military survival, secondary to survival of our Constitution. These aren’t light words.
Why doesn‘t The Blaze keep us posted on these issues like Glenn’s program did? I haven’t purchased his online program yet (Christmas present this year) & don’t know what all is going on even while checking Drudge.
I can handle correction or criticism folks. If ya‘ll think I’m retarded, that’s fine, I’m not gonna be childish about it. I’m here to learn & sometimes be heard. After some of the debate over the Ayn Rand article, I know there’s a helluvalotta smart people here that can chime in.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:33pmI hope they crap all over the neighbors lawn, stuff up his sewer.. leave trash all over his lawn and kill his lawn, maybe they will give him tuberculosis. This is bullcrap.. and the neighbor is a moron.. Marxist idiot.. This is not good when these misfits can come into neighborhoods! I am sorry.. but this is horrible for the people of this neighborhood.. God help the innocent in this neighborhood!
Report Post »Depressed_American
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:33pmI am courious how long this hospitality will last. And when he tries to kick them off his property, their true nature will be shown!!!!
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:33pmBet their is going to be some interesting conversations carried on at the local Supermarket
Report Post »ehbardin
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:31pmWithin a week they will trash his place, and fundamentally transform the mayor’s neighborhood into the HOOD. Kind of like what Obama wants to do to America, only on a smaller scale.
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:31pmnow THAT was a good one
Report Post »JoePatriot
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:31pmTime to install a sprinkler system!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:35pmNot like we need to hear them speak, however, Water-Boarding comes to mind.
Report Post »kcares
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 8:38amGood one!! Would love to see that. Everything about this is wrong. Think about the safety of the neighbors.
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:30pmcomplete EWWWW factor…..i really don’t believe that fresh homosapian caca is healthy for the lawn……
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:30pm.
Report Post »I wish I could turn a couple of 5 gal buckets full of fire ants loose on them, that would spoil their sleep over…..lol…..
Twobyfour
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:25pmWhat’s holding you back?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:21am.
Report Post »The wife won’t give me a Yard Pass……Sigh………..
OlefromMN
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:29pmLocation, location, location.
Real estate 101. Know the neighborhood before you make an offer on a property.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:28pm“The people are not walking around in the neighborhood — they’re on my property,” says Boone
Acually, the people walk into and around the neighborhood in order to access Boone’s trash oasis.
Report Post »Autumknight
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:28pmAs has been said again and again on this site “COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU!”
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:33pmKeep it up dopes the citizens of the USA are fed up with you.
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:35pmas has been said again and again in my area “not in my back yard” ; )
Report Post »shelblynn
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:27pmOne word : Idiot
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:26pmWill they need a permit like the ones required to hold Bible study groups?
Report Post »kcares
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 8:43amGood one, the double standards!
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:25pmHey Fleabagger’s – make yourself at home in the Mayors house – plenty of Beer in the frig. I want to see the Mayor wiggle out of this one.
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:22pmThey wont be there long.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 8:01amIf his neighbors are not armed, I bet they will be very soon. All who are aware of what may happen already are.
Report Post »honestynow
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:21pmYou know what they say about fish and house guests.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:19pmHow long until this guy kicks them out?
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:28pmOr vice-versa.
Report Post »Red Barr 13
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 3:30pmI would kick them out the first day.
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