Occupy Charlottesville protesters decided at a general assembly meeting last night to move from their location in Lee Park to George Rogers Clark Park. The decision followed three hours of discussion about five alternate locations, including Monticello, which were ultimately dismissed for strategic reasons.
The group chose George Rogers Clark Park, which is located across from the Red Roof Inn on West Main Street, because it fulfilled a number of desirable criteria, particularly its proximity to the "elitist" University. The group also noted the park's accessibility to foot and vehicular traffic and its high visibility to the Charlottesville community as advantages.
Although the group has been occupying Lee Park since mid-October, the termination of its 30-day permit pushed it to consider relocation. The permit, granted to occupiers by Charlottesville City Council, officially ends tonight at 6.
Occupiers maintain that their message and movement will remain strong despite the termination of the permit. Several members voiced their plans to openly accept arrest by continuing to occupy Lee Park after the permit expires. Other members agreed to support the protesters who will stay in Lee Park, but did not agree on how they would do so.
City spokesperson Ric Barrick noted the City's concerns with the movement's prolonged occupation of Lee Park.
"Because the current protest is in what is considered a neighborhood park, with the unique concerns of the adjacent residences and businesses, City Council directed staff to look at some alternatives that would not conflict with the protesters' constitutional rights to freedom of speech," Barrick said in an email.
Barrick explained that City officials believed the most suitable location would be the eastern side of McIntire Park, with parking and visibility from a highly traveled road.
After briefly considering taking to McIntire Park, occupiers dismissed the idea because they were hesitant to accept a choice "handed" to them by City Council.
Occupier and University alumnus Zac Fabian said relocation of the movement would do little to quash the message or continued activity of the group.
"Occupy Charlottesville will continue," he said. "The important thing is not the physical space. It is the connection, the community that we created."
If they are unable to occupy George Rogers Clark Park, the group members will relocate to the Free Speech Wall in front of City Hall.
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