Judge denies Occupy Boston's bid to bar eviction

[brooklynite]

Source: Boston Globe

BOSTON—A judge on Wednesday rejected a request by Occupy Boston protesters for a court order banning city officials from removing them from their encampment in the city's financial district, saying the protesters failed to prove that the seizure and holding of public land is protected by the First Amendment and somehow protected from criminal prosecution.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Frances McIntyre ruled that although the protesters are exercising their rights to freedom of expression from government interference, the occupation of state land is essentially viewed "as a hostile act" that is neither speech "nor is it immune from criminal prosecution for trespass or other crimes."

"This decision clears the way, but does not order the plaintiffs and other protesters to vacate the site and request permission to set up tents or other equipment for expressive purposes" if Occupy Boston protesters wish to continue to stay at the encampment located on land owned by the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, McIntyre said. "Overnight sleeping and living at Dewey Square are not options under the Conservancy guidelines, however."

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/12/07/judge_denies_occupy_bostons_bid_to_bar_eviction/

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The "Occupy" encampments have been largely dislodged, but the protests, and the focus on the issues they raise have managed to continue. Would it perhaps be the time to stop focusing so much energy on the "Occupy" component, and direct it to "Wall Street"?

[Arctic Dave]

1. Do both.

Occupy and disrupt, deny and dislodge "wall street".