Oakland 'Occupiers' Hold Their Ground Despite City Order To Vacate
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- Hundreds of anti-Wall Street protesters defiantly remained at their campsite outside Oakland's City Hall Saturday, despite a city order to vacate.
Demonstrators marched though downtown Saturday afternoon as police blocked traffic for them.
The California Nurses Association set up first aid stations at the Oakland and San Francisco protests.
In San Jose, police moved in to clear out the remaining Occupy tent there and 2 people were arrested.
City officials there said the protest is creating public and health hazards. The majority of the tent city was cleared out Thursday.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
Friday, Oakland city spokeswoman Karen Boyd said that Oakland gave official notice that the protesters do not have permission to remain overnight and that their encampment is breaking the law.
Boyd would not comment on what steps the city would take toward enforcing of the law. There was no indication of significant police presence early Saturday.
The encampment, inspired by New York's "Occupy Wall Street" protests, began with a large rally in the plaza on Oct. 10 and has grown into a miniature city with a series of tarps, tents, shelves and tables, as well as a library, children's area and makeshift garden.
PHOTOS: Bay Area Occupy Protests
The notice to vacate, issued by the Oakland city administrator's office, said, "While demonstrators have a right to peaceful expression, the city has a responsibility to ensure a public health and safety plan during such events," and "after 10 days, the city can no longer uphold public health and safety."
City officials said in recent days, camp conditions and occupant behavior have significantly deteriorated, citing fire hazards, increasing violence and threats, the denial of emergency personnel access to treat injured people and public urination and defecation, among other problems.
The city says that protesters can legally demonstrate at the plaza from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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