Occupy Everett group has a permit to camp in courthouse plaza

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

EVERETT -- The Occupy movement has arrived in Everett.

Several dozen people met Wednesday evening at the Snohomish County Courthouse plaza to sort out the logistics of a long-term sit-in.

The county has granted the group a facilities use permit that allows people associated with Occupy Everett to set up tents in a grassy area in front of the courthouse.

Nobody needs a permit to protest but one is necessary to camp overnight at that location. There's no end date to the permit.

The county also plans to provide portable toilets, garbage cans and Snohomish County deputies on scene for the protection of people protesting, Snohomish County Deputy Executive Gary Haakenson said.

"We believe in their right of free speech, and we're trying to allow them to do that," Haakenson said.

Two deputies will be assigned at all hours as needed, Snohomish County Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Prentiss said.

"That means if nothing is going on, those resources will be sent back to their normal assignment," he said.

Those deputies won't cost taxpayers extra because they would normally be working the same hours.



http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111027/NEWS01/710279817#Occupy-Everett-group-has-permit-to-camp-in-courthouse-plaza-