Occupy New Haven holds emergency meeting

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) - The city is telling them to leave, but Occupy New Haven protesters say they're staying right where they are. New Haven has given the encampment a deadline to take down their tents and get out.

Monday night protestors held an emergency meeting to see what they could do to fight Wednesday's noon deadline to be out of the park, which included everything from a peaceful protest to getting arrested.

"Things have escalated, which is remarkable," one protestor said, "since we have been acting the same as we always have, and now they are acting aggressive."

Protestors say they will not go.

We have condensed our camp," said Ina Staklo, Hamden, "we have made it more defensible in the case there is an actual physical assault on us. We have created a better line of communication, texting, etc., so we can have better cohesion when the eviction does come."

The Occupy Movement has also contacted several lawyers. They will decide Tuesday if they will file an injunction with the courts.

"There is also consequences if they do tear down the tents or chase the people out," said attorney Irving Pinksy, "because that might be a violation of the lock out law in Connecticut, which is not only a criminal act, but a civil act."

The city says they have made the decision, and it is about opening up the Green to everyone, not just one group.

"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."

Despite the police and the eviction order Occupy New Haven did hold a vote and more than a dozen people have offered to get arrested in a peaceful protest.

Protestors said they will not tell News 8 all of their strategies for resisting the police and being able to stay. They say you are going to have to wait until noon on Wednesday, until the eviction becomes real.