search
December 8, 2011

Occupy Maine to meet Sunday to decide next move

From staff reports

PORTLAND – The Occupy Maine protesters will hold a “general assembly” at 3 p.m. Sunday to decide what action to take now that the City Council has denied the group a permit for continuing its encampment at Lincoln Park.

click image to enlarge

2011 Press Herald file A pedestrian on Oct. 4 walks past signs placed on the fence of Lincoln Park in Portland by the group Occupy Maine.

Related headlines

The group could decide to file suit against the city and obtain an injunction to keep Portland from moving to evict the protesters, said John Branson, the group’s attorney.

He said city officials have given him “verbal assurances” that they won’t act before Occupy Maine decides whether to file a suit. Branson said he wants the assurances in writing.

The City Council on Wednesday voted 8-1 to deny the group a permit to stay at the park.

Despite the City Council’s rejection of the permit, police are in a “holding pattern,”  said acting police chief Michael Sauschuck.

The group had discussed holding a meeting at 6 tonight. However, the group decided to hold the meeting on Sunday because more people would be able to participate, said Matthew Coffey, 33, a protester.

“We want as many people’s opinion to be heard as possible,” he said.

Sauschuck said the city isn’t planning to try to force the protesters out before Sunday.

“The city has never wanted this to go into any kind of forcible eviction,” he said. “It may end up there, but that’s not our intention.”

He said police have had “a good working relationship, for the most part,” with Occupy Maine, despite some acts of violence among those living in the park and arrests in recent weeks.

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send Question/Comment to the Publisher




Further Discussion

Here at PressHerald.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.

Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include:
  • Type of computer or mobile device your are using
  • Exact operating system and browser you are viewing the site on (TIP: You can easily determine your operating system here.)


Most...