So, eventful day again yesterday, here’s all the updates and what you can do to help. Read here for a response to the mayor’s claims that people at the site need to be involuntarily committed and that the first 16 people have been found housing.
WHEN WE HAVE TO LEAVE AND POLICE STATEMENTS
So, Captain Gloede came to the site yesterday and gave us the news that we had to be out by Sunday at 3:00 instead of today at 3:00. People also asked the following questions.
Q: Why can’t we wait to move until December 1
A: The city made the decision, you have to ask the Mayor, but its zoning, lack of camping permit, the warming shelter moving across the street and not wanting to have a similar situation to last year.
Q: So are you asking us to move somewhere more reasonable?
A: Yes, but I don’t know where.
Q: What about the car campers at Union Corners, do they need to move?
A: They are working on a flyer for them reminding them that winter is coming and they will need to alternate side park so the cars need to be able to run, they should be careful about sleeping in running cars because of the carbon monoxide, that if there are any incidents, they should call the police, etc.
Q: Why did the block off some of the exits, will they remain open for the move?
A: They will stay open for the move, not sure why but they were trying to manage traffic flow, it was done by the construction folks.
Q: These signs are temporary, will you be removing them when we are gone?
A: No, they are making permanent signs
Q: What should we do with the garbage, can you get streets to pick it up.
A: Yes, just make sure it is clear that it is garbage.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for a site?
A: He is not aware of any that would be legal.
Q: Will the police remain cooperative.
A: Yes.
Q: What are the fines if we go to another site?
A: Depends upon where you go. Trespassing is $386, if you are in a park there may be other tickets.
Q: What if we can’t find another site?
A: Hopes that is not the case, he is hopeful we will find a site somewhere.
Some reporters also asked questions after talking to the group. I missed some of it – the mayor called right in the middle of the interview so I took the call, but here are some other things Gloede had to say.
– There has been a cooperative effort working with Occupy from the beginning, he attempts to build a relationship and work with people on timelines. It’s part of his job to engage with people and seek cooperation and a reasonable resolution.
– He is concerned about the lack of options for housing, for camping, for shelter, for safety for people and their belongings. (He said it more eloquently, wish I had that on tape and I wonder if that made the news, probably not, its not conflict.)
– He also elaborated on the issue that people can get tickets in parks after hours, that people might be able to get trespassing tickets depending upon the property, but that it is hard to be specific because it depends upon who owns the property.
– He says there are not a lot of place to go – and that is the difficulty.
WHERE ARE WE GOING
BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA . . . to a neighborhood near you!
Seriously.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
Come to the site on E. Washington at 11:00 on Saturday. We can tell you the plan then. Or, at 12:45 I can twitter and facebook the location. You should be able to get there in 15 minutes from most locations in Madison. However, we need cars to help people move to the new site and people to join them there at 1:00. We have a location in mind, but it may change depending upon how much it leaks out and if there are actions by the property owners that might make it difficult to implement. (Sorry, can’t say more.) If you can bring a tent to put up and sleep overnight with folks that would be best. I don’t think anyone will be risking arrest. The police, so far, have been very cooperative with us, they would probably just ask us to leave and give us a reasonable time line. Some may choose to stay and resist – that is up to people who are there.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE GET KICKED OUT OF THE NEW SITE?
Regroup. Some people will be staying behind at the E. Washington site. The new location doesn’t work for people who need to be downtown. So, we would regroup at the site on E. Washington and probably pick the next location. Tho, we are somewhat hopeful we may not have to do that if we have enough support from the community. So please join us tomorrow!
That’s all I can tell you.
