San Fran & L.A. Officials Consider Giving Occupy Protesters ‘Indoor Space’
- Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:18am by
Billy Hallowell
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The Occupy Los Angeles encampment around City Hall will be cleared sometime next week, a city official and a lawyer for demonstrators said Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) — Los Angeles and San Francisco are seeking long-term solutions to the entrenched encampments by anti-Wall Street protesters, hoping to end the drain on resources and the frayed nerves among police and politicians.
Officials in both cities have considered providing protesters with indoor space that would allow the movement to carry out its work in more sanitary, less public facilities.
Occupiers are debating among themselves about whether to hold their ground or try to take advantage of possible moves.
Talks in both cities mark a distinctly different approach than tactics used elsewhere that have seen police sent in to dislodge Occupy camps. Violence and arrests plagued camps in Oakland and New York, while the use of batons and pepper spray against peaceful protesters on University of California campuses has led to national outrage and derision.
San Francisco is negotiating with Occupy SF members about moving their encampment from the heart of the financial district to an empty school in the city’s hip Mission district. That would allow the occupiers to have access to toilets and a room for their daily meetings, while camping out in the parking lot of what was once a small high school.
The move also could help them weed out drug addicts and drunks, and those not wholly committed to their cause.
Protesters in Los Angeles said officials rescinded a similar deal, in which the city would have leased a 10,000-square-foot space that once housed a bookstore in Los Angeles Mall to the protesters for $1 a year.
But after the proposal was made public at an Occupy LA general assembly, it generated outrage from some who saw it as a giveaway of public resources by a city struggling with financial problems, and the offer was withdrawn.
Deputy Mayor Matt Szabo told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the encampment around City Hall would be shut down at some point next week.
“The encampment as it exists is unsustainable,” Szabo said.
Whether the city continues to negotiate with Occupy LA for a new location remains to be seen.
Occupy LA camper Alifah Ali said she would pack up her tent at City Hall when the order to leave came down in Los Angeles and welcome the possibility of new digs.
“Maybe we need to move,” Ali said. “Maybe this will give us room to organize, make our voice clear.”
Los Angeles officials initially endorsed the movement and allowed tents to sprout on City Hall’s lawns. More than 480 tents have since been erected. But problems arose with sanitation, drug use and homeless people moving into the camp.
In San Francisco, several hundred protesters have been hunkered down for some six weeks in about 100 tents at Justin Herman Plaza, at the eastern end of Market Street and across from the tourist-catching Ferry Building on the bay. The city has declared the plaza a public health nuisance, though city officials also credit the campers for their efforts to rid the camp of garbage and keep the grassy area clean.
Mayor Ed Lee has met with the occupiers at several heated closed-door meetings at City Hall. He‘s repeatedly told them he supports their cause and the right to protest the nation’s confounding inequality between the rich and the poor.
But they cannot, he has said, continue to camp out overnight in a public plaza.
“The mayor is being patient,” said Christine Falvey, a spokeswoman for Lee. “He wants to see some sort of long-term, sustainable plan because the city cannot sustain overnight camping for any long period of time.”
Ken Cleaveland of the Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco, which represents the hotels and businesses that have been impacted by the noise, loss of tourism and concerns of violence, said some hotels had to reimburse guests who could not sleep, and small businesses in the tourist hub have lost thousands of dollars.
“It’s time to move the camp,” he said. “Nobody’s disagreeing with their right to protest or the inequities in society that they are protesting, but it’s not a place to camp out permanently.”
A survey by The Associated Press found that during the first two months of the nationwide Occupy protests, the movement that is demanding more out of the wealthiest Americans cost taxpayers at least $13 million in police overtime and other municipal services.
Gentle Blythe, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco public school district, said city officials had approached the district about allowing Occupy SF to relocate to the Mission site that formerly housed Phoenix High School. The School Board is considering a facility permit that would allow the city to lease the property for six months.
Occupy SF members say they’re mulling over the proposal.
“We’re waiting for whatever caveats the city is going to come back at us with,” said Jerry Selness, a retired Navy medic from Eugene, Ore., who has volunteered for a more than a month at the Occupy SF medical tent.
“I do feel that we’re at a crux point here: we are either going to give this movement enough time to be able to make our next move, which will be to not only to move this camp, but move to a new phase in the way that we occupy,” he said.
There is debate among the occupiers in San Francisco as to whether it’s better to stay put, move to another long-term location or make quick hit-and-run occupies at symbolic sites such as bank lobbies and foreclosures auctions.
“For instance, there‘s a neighborhood in San Francisco right now where they’re foreclosing on 11 houses in one street,” Selness said. “What a perfect place for us to occupy.”
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Comments (71)
Mattsbay18
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:44amThis will teach them nothing
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 3:09pmMaybe they ought to expatriate themselves to Tijauana and set up housekeeping there. I hear it is warm all year and there is a lot of open space in Baja California for camping – even a beach.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:01pmHow about ‘indoors’ at GITMO !
Report Post »Or better….indoors at San Fran Nan’s office !
The10thAmendment
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:17pmUnsustainable?
Political correctness is the worst use of the American Language I have ever heard.
It’s not unsustainable, it’s CRIMINAL, and INTOLERABLE at this point. Stop the coddling and either arrest them and keep them locked up, and shot them in their pathetic skulls and be done with the whole damn bunch of their 5,000 participants. Not even their damned parents would miss them.
Report Post »obxned
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:01amYes, let’s give them a free place to live. This should also include free meals, clothing, and health care. It should be a place where rich and poor are treated pretty much alike, and must include showers and indoor plumbing. I’m sure the Department of Corrections can provide this for these very deserving people.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:36amUnited Socialist State of California; that is what they are forging and most of the public of the nation will not see what is before their very eyes on this one.
Report Post »TheWholeTruth
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:35amYou guys really need to stop and think about what you are saying. Sure, you may not agree with what they are doing, or more to the point what they are wanting, but…. well, watch this video interview with Stuart Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers, he explains it a lot better than I can about why you shouldn‘t be saying the things you’re saying.
For those who don’t know about Stuart or Oath Keepers, he founded it to remind Police and Military about their oath to the Constitution and to provide a place for them to gather be it online or in real life.
http://www.infowars.com/stewart-rhodes-sherrifs-fed-up-with-federal-interference/
It just might give you a little clarity on the subject.. at least I HOPE it will.
Report Post »Itchee Dryback
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 3:41pmI’m sure they would have no problem when “anti-occupiers“ moved into ”their” facilities to protest/camp/demand food etc. in order to exercise their rights of protest?
Someone PLEASE do this.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:00amYes, put them in a large building………. then lock the doors and drop in the cyanide.
Report Post »kcares
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:45amHow about the gas chambers like the Jews got.
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:49amOr a nice private place to make the molotov cocktails that they can throw into crowds of people.That’s next on their agenda?
Report Post »bhohater
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 10:34amBuild a cyclone fence around the protesters, drop in a load of food and drugs for them once a week and let them kill each. Problem solved.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:53amGive’em FEMA checks. FEMA housing. FEMA aid.
Report Post »After all…….
Baddoggy
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:56amno no no…put them in the Rizt Hotel! They cant be with the common folks ya know…
Report Post »robh
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:46amI’m glad that the debauched behavior and stench will be somewhat contained.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:29amAll of have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving .Rember even when things look their darkest there is always something to be thankful for ,God bless ya`ll.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:42amGod I guess I need to admitt that I need bi-focals.Any ways let me try agin.All of you have a blessed and wonderful thanksgiving.
Report Post »robh
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:54amNo problem, brother. We’re all friends here.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:57amSo thankful I live in Texas. I wold be more thankful if we seceeded!
Report Post »msconstrue
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:24amOfficials in both cities have considered providing protesters with indoor space that would allow the movement to carry out its work in more sanitary, less public facilities………
this is ludicrous, what work do they have to carry out? they are a bunch of neo-terrorists!! they are depleting our cities resources, vandalizing public property, squatting on private property. the whole thing is complete insanity!!! it boggles my mind that public officials have allowed this to go on and on, then have the brilliant idea of allowing them to move indoors?….
they are not protesters, they are an army..and they are actively recruiting…lord help us in the spring, because we will have given them all the tools they need to grow.
least i forget, happy thanksgiving!
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:29amPlease let it be next to Nancy Pelosi’s house…
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:32amPlease may they take up permanent residence on Rodeo Drive in Hollowwood right in the center of shopping district… “reality TV” at its best and who deserves them more than Hollowwood?
Report Post »showmerancher
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:23amWasting tax-payer money on the feckless dregs of society. Obama needs California for the election. You can bet your bottom dollar that Jerry Brown is working behind the scenes to get a massive federal bailout for the state. So for those of us in the rest of the states… there goes your bottom dollar.
Report Post »GulfPeg
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:22amThe new San Francisco and Los Angeles homeless shelters!
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:14amOccupy Protesters could stay at the city zoo, but their smell would be offensive to the wild animals.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:04amWell I guess since they’re there in the Gime mode they are getting what they want, “free ****”
Report Post »quicker
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:01amYou know if the media would stop covering these people the problem would take care of it self.But no that would mean that they would have to find something else to cover ,like Obama`s scandels .OMG what am I saying that there might be some reporters with integrabily out there or some kind of moral insight.I know 10,000 comedians out of work and I`m trying to crack a joke.
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:54amNothing left of ethical journalism so expect “reporters” to keep beating the drums for these degenerates, At least we have the Blaze and don’t have to depend on the M/M. Happy Thanksgiving to all the newsroom staff at the Blaze from one of your appreciative readers.
Report Post »BIBLESnGUNS
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:00amOh, they’re just college kids doing what kids do. This is becoming a bit of a nuisance. This is not sustainable for health and sanitation reasons. See any kind of progression here?? Why in heaven’s name would you now offer them “indoor” space to continue?? What about the lives that will be impacted around the new site? I’ll just bet that the area around this school is residential. Would you want these losers anywhere near your family, your children? When do we reach a point where we tell these people to GO HOME? Millions of taxpayer dollars in police overtime alone. Lost business, in some cases no business, resulting in layoffs and closures. When will enough be enough?a Time to reach into our pants, find our b_lls, and send these folks home to momma. Yes, you have the right to protest, but not at the inconvenience of others. Break this crap up before it turns into something that no one in their right mind wants to deal with.
Report Post »GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:59amNow I know why California is the land of “fruits” and “nuts”. You really live up to my expectations. You must be so proud.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:58amHow about indoor space in Nancy Polosi’s living room.
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:58amVan Jones should let the Occupy Protesters stay at his house.
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:34amA perfect residence for those who occupy space!
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:56amI wonder what he ment when he said they would move to the next phase of the occupy movement?
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:00amIndoor plumbing and prostitutes to cut down on rapes.
Report Post »zman61
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:55amSo let’s get this striaight. Tea Party has to get permits, pay for facilities.
Report Post », acts civilized with no arrests and leaves the area clean and does not invade and camp out on private
Property
Occupy, a inch of idiots that don’t have a clue, get no permits, invaded people’s private property,
Camp out there for three months with no facilities, sheet all over the place in public ,
Jerk their gerkins in public and have sex in public, have violent protests, do damage to local business
Have women raped, drug overdoses, antisemetism in their protest, threats of violence in their protest
Resulting in arrests for terroristIc threats, and just more than could possibly be listed here and these
Cities want to REWARD their bad behavior with a free place to we up shop.
Our country is going off a cliff and these idiots in LA and San Fransissyco are throwing more weight on to make us hit terminal velocity sooner. That state is full of fruits and
Nuts and I can‘t believe it’s the same state I once lived in.
RichNGadsden
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:02amZMAN61, Excellent points all. The best thing that I can say about Occupy is that they are recruiting more of us to become active Tea Party members.
Report Post »zman61
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:41amthis post taught me one thing, I hate the auto-correct on my Iphone.
Report Post »KAdams
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:45amNo, they need to be driven into the sea. They are Legion.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:53amIt’s about time that California and the citizens of the other occupied communities become the adults and call for an end to this fiasco. Your local politicians have merely found another way to syphon off your tax dollars to piss it away even faster. Next, you will be paying to finish demolishing this former school building when the OWS idiots bring it to a condemned state.
Report Post »MeMadMax
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:53amGod I hate this state.
Report Post »Yea, I live in LA too, place is dirty, can’t wait to get out.
The last straw was when they decided to teach kindergardners the finer points of gay education…. Since I have 2 little girls getting ready to go to school, that is NOT gonna happen…
The End.
amerbur
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:48amI am angry that my city is letting this occupy wallstreet camp out downtown next to the capital. Would they let me camp out? I am angry with my elected leaders for allowing this. These people have the right to protest, but not camp out. We are a city of laws. Is this fair to the rest of use who work and pay taxes. I saw a big Van with 3 of the clenced fists on the side and two on the back. It had a local license place and and advertizement from a compayn in Portland oregon. Who is funding this
Report Post »ZAP
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:46amBook them into a Holiday Inn,why don`t you.Don`t forget the rental car.
Report Post »nelbert
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:45amMight I suggest Alcatraz as their indoor space.
Report Post »Jomil48
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:29amWhat else would you expect from Califoria, wonder why the state is going broke and we the tax payers will have to bail them out, and oh yes, we will bail them out.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 6:26amCalifornia you are nuts.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 7:17amBoy, you said it. And I’m sure the generous, hard working TAXPAYERS are MORE than happy to foot the bill.
Time to Occupy the Occupation. Give them brooms and make them work for every cent it will cost the state for everything.
(are you listening WI?)
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