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In the fifth month of protest, Occupy Denver crowds have significantly thinned as supporters of the movement struggle to persevere through the winter weather and stringent regular police interference. Denver Police Chief Robert White has declared Denver police will be at Civic Center Park, the location of the protests, each night after hours to remove any “encumbrances” constructed during the day.
This statement comes after the most recent eviction of the camp, which occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 19. Two protesters were arrested and the camp was set on fire by its own occupiers.
The occupiers said they were outraged that their encampment was declared an “encumbrance” by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. In the weeks that followed, the occupiers’ numbers have dwindled to about 25 from the hundreds who occupied the park in early-November.
Before the removal of the camp, White met with 10 elected representatives of Occupy Denver to discuss the upcoming event. However, the protesters felt the meeting was unproductive and accomplished little in the way of compromise.
“As far as their encumbrances, they have to take them down,” said White in statement to The Denver Post. “There is not a lot of wiggle room. There was a decision made that needs to occur.”
The weekly General Assembly (GA) meetings have seen less attendance as well. In the most recent meeting, an open-forum discussion of plans for the upcoming year was attended by approximately 120 people.
Cars passing by honked regularly at signs held by the protesters, but the turnout from the community was much less than in the September and October assemblies.
In the meeting, they outlined goals for the upcoming year of protests and discussed seven suggestions put forward by members of how to conduct the future of the movement. Among the discussion topics were whether or not to focus on modifying the Constitution, becoming more politically involved, growing roots in the Denver community, expanding support and amending space issues.
Among their plans for 2012, Occupy is planning further “Teach-Ins,” which are workshops organized by Occupy members dealing with subjects such as safe police confrontation, evacuation strategies and protesting techniques.
They also have established several committees such as an “Outreach” and “Future of the Movement.”
In the coming months, they hope to establish regular groups and meetings to expand information and support within the community.
They are also planning days to march in support of veterans and an “Occupy the Court.”
“Expect us!” one protester shouted as “Occupy the Courts” day was announced.
The protesters said despite the many setbacks the movement has incurred in the past few months, they are determined to stay relevant in the view of the public.
“We are not just protesting. We are not just complaining. We are building a community,” an Occupy protester, named only as “Tanner,” wrote in an open letter to the movement. “We are providing an outlet so that the solutions to complex problems we can be heard.”
