PORTLAND — Members of the Occupy Maine encampment in Lincoln Park have begun talking about ending the demonstration, at least until spring.
About 50 people gathered for a community meeting this afternoon to discuss several issues, including a demand from city officials that the group apply for permits to remain in the park.
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The meeting followed a night without disturbances in the park, according to police, who made several arrests in or near the encampment last week.
Group leaders said they have until Tuesday to apply for permits for everything from the materials they use to build their tents to the equipment they use to stay warm and cook food.
“I think they’re planning on pushing us out of the safety issues alone,” said Alan Porter, 45, who has been living in the camp since mid-October.
“They even want to limit the number of people in the camp, which is against everything we stand for,” Porter said before the meeting. “I believe our days are numbered. I say we (leave) peacefully. But I know there are some who want to stay until the police come.”
Occupy Maine is part of an international movement against corporate greed and socioeconomic injustice that started in mid-September with demonstrations on Wall Street in New York City and in San Francisco.
Portland officials initially supported the protesters’ right to assemble, though municipal ordinances ban sleeping in public parks. They began calling for the camp to be dismantled last week, after a few assaults associated with the camp led to five arrests.
Porter and other group leaders said a decision on whether to apply for permits could come as early as tonight, when members are scheduled to gather for a general assembly at 6 p.m.
If the group decides to seek permits, the City Council’s public safety committee would consider the applications on Thursday, followed by the full council on Dec. 7.
If the group decides to break camp, Porter and others anticipate returning to the park in the spring.
However, not everyone staying in or visiting the park is affiliated with Occupy Maine, so some may remain even if the group decides to leave.
“We can’t stop people from staying here,” said Brian Leonard of Portland, 42, a group member who hasn’t been spending nights in the camp.
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