Occupy BG not ready to quit - Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune

Occupy BG not ready to quit

Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor

Thursday, 01 December 2011 09:43

File Photo: Wes Steiner sweeps area near tents at Occupy BG. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

Occupy BG protesters have no intention of quietly walking away from the site that has become their home in downtown Bowling Green.
After nearly six weeks of primarily peaceful coexistence between the protesters, city government and downtown businesses, the Occupy BG participants were under city orders today to remove their campsite by noon from the publicly owned Community Commons in the 100 block of East Wooster Street.
A group of 17 protesters pulled their lawn chairs into a circle in the 33 degree chill Wednesday evening to talk about their next steps.
"We're going to be here. This is an occupation 24/7," said Angie Fitzpatrick.
And an idea cannot be evicted, the group agreed, wiggling their gloved fingers in Occupy sign language indicating support.
City officials do not view this as an eviction, like the actions taken against Occupy groups in other cities across the nation.
"We are not evicting them. We are directing them to remove their private property," Bowling Green Municipal Administrator John Fawcett said Wednesday morning.
Fawcett said members of the group are welcome to use the space to express their beliefs but will not be allowed to keep personal items in the area. "It would be an eviction if we were telling them to remove both themselves and their items from the space," he said.
But the protesters see little difference. This is no compromise, they said. By ordering the removal of their three tents, tables and chairs, the city is effectively shutting down the movement.
"It's the same as saying we have to leave. In order to efficiently occupy this space, we need some equipment," Fitzpatrick said, explaining she is unsure what will happen when today's noon deadline arrives. "We are claiming this public space. It's an opportunity for us to really demonstrate our passion for the movement."
As the group gathered Wednesday evening, several cars drove by, a few motorists honking in support, but more shouting "get a job" to the Occupy BG members.
Fitzpatrick explained that many of them are employed. She is an instructor at Bowling Green State University. Others were blue collar workers, restaurant servers, or students. Some are retired.
"Most of the people here have a job. It's an interesting range of working class folks," she said.
And though the Occupy movement has been criticized for lacking focus, the members in BG share a common concern of economic inequality.
"A lot of us feel the system has failed us," Fitzpatrick said.
And now the city government is trying to take away the one venue the protesters feel they have to raise awareness.
"I don't believe they are trying to be malicious," Fitzpatrick said of the city officials.
Gilbert Bentley helped organize the Occupy BG movement, which set up its first tent downtown on Oct. 22.
"This Saturday will be six weeks - if we make it that long," Bentley said.
He also does not see the city notice as a compromise.
"We definitely don't appreciate what they are trying to do," said Bentley, who works in a clothing store. "It will effectively end the occupation."
Taylor Scribner, who cleans homes for a living, isn't ready to pack up and leave the movement.
"I want to see change. I've been a victim of corporate greed," she said. "The system has been crumbling for a few years, this is long overdue."
Though far short of the actions taken in other cities, Scribner said Bowling Green officials are over-reacting.
"They are trying to be polite and make themselves look good," she said. "We've had no conflict until now."
However, there has been some conflict.
The Bowling Green Police Department has received some informal complaints about Occupy BG from businesses in the area of Community Commons. On Nov. 19, a complainant reported two members of Occupy BG were inside an apartment to keep warm. Police found two individuals on the roof, and warned both for criminal trespass. One of the subjects also was cited for possession of marijuana. Occupy BG members also were warned after police found they had hooked equipment into city power sources.
Since then, a nearby business owner has been allowing the protesters to use an extension cord to operate crock pots, hot plates and a small space heater inside a tent, Fitzpatrick said.
Some members of the Occupy BG movement were critical of officials in other cities, where news cameras were kept far from the campsites when protesters were forcibly removed. However, some of the Occupy BG members were hesitant to let the media film their meeting in the downtown Community Commons Wednesday evening. After a thumbs up or down vote, and discussion about the site being public property, the media continued to film.
When today's deadline arrives, Bentley said he isn't certain what will happen.
"I'll act peacefully, but accordingly. We are very strict about no violence," he said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 December 2011 10:40

Comments

# 2011-12-01 10:56

These people need to go. Breaking the law is breaking the law.

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