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Police move in on Occupy London, Ont., protest
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The Canadian Press-
Police in London, Ont., moved against the local Occupy protesters' encampment early Wednesday, marking the first time authorities in Canada have tried to forcibly remove a camp that is part of the countrywide protests.
CBC reporter Kerry McKee said a "large number" of London police moved in on Victoria Park at about 12:45 a.m. ET, closing off the entire block near the park.
No violence has been reported. McKee said the park had been quiet in the hours after the police and London city workers moved in, placing protesters' tents in the back of City of London pickup trucks.
About 40 protesters remained shortly before 4 a.m., with about 20 of those sitting and preparing to be arrested, McKee reported. About 30 police officers were surrounding the park. She reported shortly after 6 a.m. ET that police appeared to be backing off.
Police said early Wednesday that the last of the structures at the camp were being removed.
Some protesters said they felt betrayed, McKee reported. The protesters said the city had told them at 10 p.m. they would be willing to negotiate. But once hundreds of additional supporters who had been bolstering the camp went home, the police moved in.
Earlier Tuesday, about 1,000 people were in the park to hear a speech by Ontario Federation of Labour president Sid Ryan.
Mayor Joe Fontana and the city's police chief had issued a warning to protesters earlier, calling on them to leave the city park by Tuesday evening. Fontana said protesters could continue their demonstration in the park, but the tents had to go and nobody would be allowed in the park between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Two deadlines on Tuesday — at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. — had originally passed without incident, with protesters saying they planned to form a human chain.
Vancouver renews injunction bid
In Vancouver, authorities will be back in court on Wednesday to try to get an injunction against the protest occupation of the city's art gallery property. On Tuesday, protesters were given a one-day reprieve when the newly retained lawyer for Occupy Vancouver was given another day to prepare his arguments.
Penny Ballem, Vancouver's city manager, said Monday that city lawyers would ask the court to close down the 25-day-old camp.
He said the city was not trying to shut down the protest, but to end the encampment.
Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu also said Occupy Vancouver protesters needed to pack up their encampment or face arrest.
Chu told reporters that a clash Monday night between police, firefighters and protesters proves it is no longer a peaceful exercise. He said protesters bent on violence have gone over the line.
"Our officers received the full wrath of the protesters. In the scuffle, one officer had his ammunition clip stolen. This can no longer stand."
Chu said the once-peaceful protest has been infiltrated by dangerous people, creating a divide within the camp between militant and peaceful protesters.
He said police are still hoping for a peaceful end, but are prepared to move in and take down the encampment if the protesters refuse to leave.
Victoria heads to court
In Victoria, city officials said they will go to B.C. Supreme Court next Tuesday to seek an injunction allowing the city to remove tents and other belongings at the Occupy camp.
Mayor Dean Fortin said the space in Centennial Square is needed to set up a temporary skating rink and to make repairs to the fountain.
Occupy Halifax protesters voluntarily left the public square in front of city hall to allow the city to prepare for Remembrance Day ceremonies. They relocated their tents at nearby Victoria Park.
"We'll be trying to repair the grass and spraying down the cenotaph," said Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly. He was not happy about the protesters' promise to return to the vacant square this weekend, following the conclusion of the Remembrance Day events.
"They have to understand that this is a public square and it's not just for one group but for everybody," he said. "They had their time here."
In Calgary, city council voted unanimously Monday night to start moving protesters out of Olympic Plaza. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the city will start handing out warnings, then proceed to tickets. Nenshi said council would like the protesters to be moved out quickly, but offered no firm timeline for when that could happen.
Occupy protests are set to continue Wednesday in at least 10 other Canadian cities.
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