*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 16, 2011*
Contacts: OccupyBostonMedia@gmail.com
Twitter: @OccupyBOS_media
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Today, after a three hour hearing Suffolk Superior Court Judge Frances A. McIntyre ruled in favor of Occupy Boston, granting the movement a temporary injunction. The order, brought to court by the ACLU and NLG, will restrict Boston city officials, including the Boston Police Department, from breaking up Occupy Boston and evicting protesters from Dewey Square. The order also prevents officials from removing tents and personal property.
After the hearing, Occupy Boston attorney Howard M. Cooper said, “The crux of the issue was the concern that they [Occupy Boston] will be kicked out before they have a chance to be heard . . . . Now, they have a chance to be heard.” Cooper also said that after today’s ruling he felt confident that the judge would also rule in favor of the protesters at the December 1st hearing.
Occupy Boston is very pleased by this ruling and thanks the City of Boston and the Boston Police Department in advance for adhering to the court order. The protesters at Dewey Square respect the court’s decision and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with the city about the current concerns shared by both parties.
Today’s ruling truly demonstrates the power the 99% has when demanding their First Amendment Rights be protected. Furthermore, by prohibiting officials from removing tents and property the court has affirmed that the medium is indeed the message, and physical encampments are a form of free expression protected by law.
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Occupy Boston is the beginning of an ongoing discussion about reforming Wall Street, removing special interests from government, and much more. The continuing occupation of Dewey Square—located outside of South Station in the heart of Boston’s Financial District—is just one of more than 500 separate Occupy encampments in cities across the world and a symbol for “Occupiers” everywhere who support real and lasting change.
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Website: OccupyBoston.org
5 Responses to “Occupy Boston Wins Temporary Injunction Against Eviction from Dewey Square”
Now does this mean folks can bring back winterized tents? Because I could understand safety concerns for not having generators on site, but winterized tents being a “hazard” to safety is a load of bollocks.
Plan B is just use winterized sleeping bags. I wouldn’t bother asking permission at this point.
“The protesters at Dewey Square respect the court’s decision and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with the city about the current concerns shared by both parties.”
So come Dec 1st when the judge rules against you living there indefinitely, you will pack up and leave without any arrests or problems, right?
No, John. Maybe you didn’t understand us: We are not leaving. If the courts side with us, great! If they don’t, too bad! Want to hear something even more shocking, John? A LOT of us are calling for an actual REVOLUTION! That’s how little we think of our leaders and the way they enforce their rules!
As for winter supplies, the judge ruled that the pigs couldn’t remove us or our stuff. Either would have a chilling effect on our 1st Amendment rights. Well, as long as we videotape it, why not march up with our stuff and dare the cops to defy the judge? It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the camp, on the periphery – it’s OUR stuff, and they can’t remove it. If they want to try and split hairs let them do it in front of a judge during a lawsuit.
on November 17th, 2011 at 9:07 pm #
[…] Boston is also quickly trying to figure out what to do with itself. Apparently, we got a court order that prevents eviction temporarily (until December 1st) on the 16th, while Rose Kennedy Greenway, […]
on November 18th, 2011 at 5:18 pm #
[…] Nov 18 2011, 03:51 PM by Liz Pelly Last night's GA promised to be extra involved, given Wednesday's court order prohibiting the city from evicting Camp Dewey until after a December 1st…, plus the letter unveiled yesterday revealing the Greenway Conservancy's request that the city […]