Occupy Oakland Protesters Return To Frank Ogawa Plaza
OAKLAND (KCBS) – A group of Occupy Oakland protesters have once again gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza to reoccupy the area, but this time without the tents that sparked previous police action.
The group said they will not be camping in front of City Hall, instead holding 24-hour, 7-day a week vigils.
Civil rights attorney and Iraq war veteran John Fullmer, who has been working on the Occupy legal team, said that even without the tents, they plan on reminding people about the previous encampments.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"What is undeniable is that we have constitutional civil rights and there needs to be a way to express that," Fullmer said. "Frank Ogawa Plaza has been designated as a public forum, where it is an appropriate place for people to express their constitutional civil rights."
Fullmer said the group is setting up a teepee as a symbol and for expressive purposes only, not for overnight camping.
Police officers and private security are watching over the area and said they will allow the vigils, but no overnight camping, tents or sleeping bags.
Authorities removed tents from the site on two separate occasions over the last month, as well as from other locations around Oakland.
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