City sets deadline for Occupy New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH/AP) - The City of New Haven is giving Occupy New Haven protesters until Wednesday at Noon to get off the Green or their stuff will be trashed.

Occupy New Haven protesters had planned a news conference today to announce that they won't be leaving.

• Read the flier from the City (.doc file)

"All structures and tents must be removed. Any items not removed by noon on Wednesday may be removed and discarded," Elizabeth Benton, Director of Communications for the City of New Haven, said in a statement.

"The City has been respectful of the movement's message, but it is now time for Occupy New Haven to remove their structures and personal items from Green."
Irving Pinsky, an attorney for the protesters, said the group announced Monday they won't leave.

Occupy protesters say they're not leaving the Green because city officials haven't met their demands for improved school funding and low-income housing, longer library hours and an end to foreclosures.

"In terms of how the space looks, if the city was really that concerned over aesthetics," said Ben Aubin, protestor, "over the fact we're volunteering our time for all these changes, we would be happy to redesign the camp. The only reason it looks the way it does is because we haven't given them any choice."

The city says it's about opening up the Green to everyone, not just to one group exclusively.

"The city and the proprietors of the Green feel it should be available to everyone," said Robert Smutts, City of New Haven, "the benefit of the Green as a place for people to use who see fit and not have permanent uses interfere with that is something we need to safeguard."

Deal or no deal, come Wednesday protesters will have to find a new place to voice their concerns.

"This isn't over and this isn't going away," said Ty Hailey, protestor, "and we're not giving up."

Benton said anyone who needs help finding shelter should contact Columbus House at 203-772-4200, ext. 2120.