Park police arrested three occupiers at McPherson Square in the wee hours Friday morning, after they allegedly "became unruly" while police "were checking tents to make sure no one was sleeping." Sounds like something that might make any sleeping person a bit unruly.
The Park Police also began to hand out flyers at McPherson Square, and at Freedom Plaza that order occupiers to remove all their camping gear by Monday or face arrest.
"This communication serves as notice that, on or about noon, January 30, 2012, the United States Park Police will commence enforcement of the long-standing National Park Service (NPS) regulations that prohibit camping and the use of temporary structures for camping in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza. The NPS has repeatedly advised participants in both parks of the camping regulations, and had sought voluntary compliance. On or about noon, January 30, 2012, if camping violations are observed, individual violators may be subject to arrest and their property subject to seizure as evidence. Any temporary structure used for camping also will be subject to seizure as an abatement of a public nuisance, and may be reclaimed by the property owner between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Park Police D-1 Station located at 960 Ohio Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024, if done within the 60 days."
Occupiers will be able to continue protests at the sites, and also to leave temporary structures in the parks so long as no one is using them for living accomodations, and one side must be left open for view at all times to enable Park police "to ensure public health and safety and to allow NPS personnel to monitor compliance."
Concerns over a rat infestation were cited again.
