Occupiers billed it as a showdown at high noon, a high-stakes standoff with U.S. Park Police over the enforcement of a camping ban in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza.
Instead, the noon deadline set by the National Park Service to begin enforcing its ban on camping, essentially forbidding Occupiers from sleeping in the park — as they have been doing since October — came and went without incident.
By late Monday, there had been no arrests and the Occupiers planted a small tree as part of a celebratory gathering in McPherson Square.
“I support a continued encampment. It’s important for everyone to meet here,” said protester Pat Farnach. “There’s a growing sense of community here, and tonight people really felt it.”
The National Parks Service announced last week that it would begin enforcing the camping ban on Monday, and media and protesters began swarming McPherson Square early Monday morning in anticipation. At times camera crews and reporters outnumbered protesters in the park.
Occupiers tossed a massive tarp over the statue of Gen. James McPherson in the center of the park to create a “tent of dreams” and chanted slogans, beat drums and blasted music from the middle of the square while a few cops looked on.
Sgt. David Schlosser, spokesman for the Park Police, said the lack of immediate arrests didn’t mean the ban wasn’t being enforced.
Any action, however, may be delayed.
Georgia resident Dane Charles Primerano filed a motion for a temporary restraining order in federal court Monday morning that would block the Park Service from enforcing the ban, contending that sleeping in McPherson Square is protected under the First Amendment. It argues that sleeping in the park is “unavoidable for destitute participants in a long-term political assembly.”
