Occupy Rochester has lost the latest round of its legal battle to remain in Washington Square Park around the clock. State Supreme Court justice Evelyn Frazee ruled today that the group will have to vacate the south end of the park, where it's been encamped since October. It's the last full-time Occupy protest in New York state.
There's no word yet on how quickly Occupy members will have to take down their tents. City officials have argued they need to repair damage to the park and make it available for other uses this spring.
A statement from the Occupy group Wednesday afternoon said the encampment was "Phase Two" of their protest and now "Phase Three" will take their message beyond the park. Occupy members say they're waiting to review Judge Frazee's full ruling before working with the city on a time frame for taking down their tents.
Mayor Tom Richards says he wants members of Occupy Rochester out of Washington Square Park by the end of the day Friday, so repairs can be started on the park. He says whether the city has to evict the group, is entirely up to them.
Click on the audio player above to listen to Mayor Richards speaking with WXXI's Alex Crichton during Thursday's Morning Edition on WXXI-AM 1370.
Richards says it's time the people moved out of the park and the public can continue to use it. He says if they refuse to leave, the city will have to remove them. Richards says he hopes that isn't the case.
