Occupy City Hall - June 30th - July 1st
Occupy City Hall // Wednesday morning // 6:14am // After a volatile evening of demonstrations, protesters eagerly awaited a budget decision vote from the City Council at midnight. Hours later, the budget passed, and Occupy’s demands were not met. There was feeling of confusion throughout the camp - with no one sure what to do next. Preparing for the worst, protesters constructed several large barriers on Centre and Chambers Street. -
-
Then, around 3am, in an effort to unify the camp - organizers called a meeting to discuss the next move. Three topics were discussed in a diplomatic group setting - concluding with a y/n community vote. -
-
1. Do we want to continue to occupy City Hall Park? 2. Do we want to leave the barriers up? 3. If so, do we want to defend the barriers? -
-
The results were: 1. Yes, we will remain in City Hall Park. 2. Yes, we will leave the barriers up. 3. No, we will not stand behind them, but rather defend the perimeter of the park. -
-
Moments after the conclusion of the meeting, demonstrators began suiting up with masks, goggles, umbrellas, and makeshift shields. Lining the perimeter of the park three rows deep, hundreds stood, arms locked, prepared to hold the space. -
-
For hours, demonstrators held the line, waiting. At 6am, hundreds of police burst through the Centre Street barrier - sprinting toward the crowd - immediately arresting, shoving, or beating anyone still in the street. -
-
Moments later, the unit rushed the reinforced sidewalk front line. Without warning or provocation, they began ripping through the defensive fencing, and beating demonstrators in the process. -
-
After removing and disposing of the fencing, police yet again, stood face to face with a line of hundreds. For nearly 20 minutes, the confrontation continued as city crews cleaned up the barriers + construction supplies. Organizers walked the front line, preaching to police through megaphones - making sure they knew the camp had no plans to back down. Around 6:30, the police began returning to the precinct. As they backed down, demonstrators erupting in cheers, chanting, “this is what community looks like!”
