OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland city officials on Friday evening told hundreds of protesters camping outside City Hall in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement to "immediately" pack up their tents and prepare to vacate the area.
The city gave official notice to the protesters, stating that they do not have permission to camp overnight on the city plaza and that their near two-week encampment is breaking the law, said Karen Boyd, a city spokeswoman.
Many protesters said they have no intentions of leaving even though the city announced Thursday that it can no longer assure public health and safety at the site. Many ripped copies of the notice into shreds.
"I'm not going anywhere. They're going to have to come and take me away," said Christopher Dunlap, 23, who said he has been on the City Hall lawn since the first day of the encampment.
Boyd declined to say what would happen if protesters ignored the order banning tents and overnight camping nor did she comment on what role police may play. While the city will no longer allow protesters to stay overnight at the site, they can demonstrate there from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Boyd added.
"It is our anticipation that they will comply," Boyd said. "Our goal is to have a peaceful and cooperative end to the encampment."
But another protester, Gerry Johnson, 55, who said he has been at the site for more than a week said it's unlikely his fellow demonstrators will leave.
"I'm trying to keep calm," Johnson said. "We're here for a good cause. I think we'll stand our ground."
The encampment has quickly grown from a few dozen tents to more than 150, causing overcrowding and tension. Some protesters moved to another site across town.
Oakland officials repeatedly said the city was committed to allowing free speech, with Mayor Jean Quan proclaiming Wednesday that sometimes "democracy is messy."
However, citing an increasing rat problem, the city made repeated requests for campers to remove fire hazards then cited public urination and acts of violence also as reasons for them to pack up and go.
Several cities around the world have arrested anti-Wall Street protesters who have failed to leave public areas.
Boyd said the group was cooperating in the beginning, but things had changed as they "exceeded their ability to address public health and safety issues."
"We have been very clear about the expectations," Boyd said. "It has gotten to a point where individuals can no longer maintain the plaza. It's deteriorated to the point where we needed to take strong action."
The notice to vacate didn't sit well with protesters. Since their arrival, they have created a 24-hour kitchen, complete with pots, pans and a stove as well as areas for health and child care.
The campsite also has an organizational board filled with meeting times throughout the day and a "Needs" board for requested items.
And despite not having a clear leader, several organizers gather daily for "general assembly" meetings and say they have activities planned outside City Hall through next week.
"We've already curbed two problems in downtown Oakland: we've solved hunger and we've solved homelessness," Shake Anderson, an organizer, said Friday. "No one is here to destroy anything ... We're not breaking any laws."
Earlier Friday, Oakland Interim Deputy Fire Chief Lisa Baker toured the perimeter of the site after she said firefighters were threatened and harassed while responding to three 911 calls Thursday.
"Can I talk to your president? Who's in charge?" Baker asked.
Robin Woods, an Oakland Occupy member, replied, "We don't have one. This is a leaderless movement."
Baker said, "Look, we're not trying to be confrontational, but if someone calls 911, they will get the care and service that we provide."
Baker urged Woods to pass along her thoughts to organizers. The two shook hands.
Anderson said that he hopes the city doesn't try to take down the community built by demonstrators.
"This has no corporate ties. This is all public, all people, that's why this is a threat," Anderson said. "This is a peaceful assembly, so therefore if you want to violently come in here, what does that say about America?"
