City Denies 'Occupy Sacramento' Protesters' Request To Camp Overnight

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Protesters with "Occupy Sacramento" pleaded at the Sacramento City Council meeting Tuesday night for city leaders to rescind the curfew that makes it illegal to continue protests overnight, but the council denied their request.

"We ask that you join these cities in supporting Occupy Sacramento so we could be a shining example of freedom and liberty in America and the world," one woman said, addressing the council.

Another pleaded "so all I'm asking from you guys right now is please consider us. Consider our constitutional right to assemble."

But the council didn't relent, citing a city ordinance that mandates everyone must leave Cesar Chavez Park by 11 p.m. each night. Organizers say 35 protesters have been arrested in Sacramento since last Thursday for unlawful assembly at Cesar Chavez Park.

The city says camping is not allowed in the park, but organizers say they are not camping but holding a demonstration and should be exempt.

Asked by CBS13 why they should be exempt, protester Greg Adams said "because of what we're trying to do. We're peaceful."

"That we are a peaceful protest and that we have rights to stay in this park and protest," CJ Kelly said.

But peaceful still comes at a price to taxpayers.

"We have an estimate of about 228 hours of overtime so far," said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Andrew Pettit.

That's about $13,000 in overtime to watch the park.

"That money could have been used for various projects or investigations," Pettit said.

It also means fewer officers city-wide as they concentrate on one city block. Anywhere from five to up to 60 officers have policed the protest.

That worries the manager at a popular lunch spot near the park.

"We need them we're they're (normally) at rather than at the park," Jacob Sihi of Tony's Deli and Market said. "It'll hurt my wallet and everybody else's. It trickles down."

Even with the city's action Tuesday night, Occupy Sacramento protesters said they have no immediate plans of leaving the park.

When will they leave? "We have no idea at this point," Adams said. "As long as it takes, as long as it takes."