Heard in the Hall

Occupy protesters swarm City Council

Occupy protesters disrupted City Council, questioning whether they must leave Dilworth Plaza and protesting new city curfew bill.

33 comments

Occupy protesters swarm City Council

POSTED: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 11:32 AM

Miriam Hill

Several protesters disrupted Thursday’s City Council meeting, saying they are angry about a new curfew law and don’t think they should have to move.

At a hastily called news conference after the storming of City Council, several protesters said they did not believe they had to move.

“I don’t think the First Amendment needs a permit,” said a protester who identified himself as Adan X.

He also said he is frustrated because he thinks the Occupiers have done more to help the homeless, primarily by feeding them, than the city has. He said, though, that he would move if the group voted to do so.

Another Occupier, Peter McCarthy, said he was frustrated that so much media coverage has focused on the move. The protesters are out their fighting for serious concerns. In particular, McCarthy, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, said he was concerned about a new city curfew law. McCarthy believes curfews are ineffective and label young people as criminals, a burden they carry throughout their lives.

“They are incarcerated early and that leads them to be marginalized for the rest of their lives,” he said.

It wasn’t clear how widespread the group’s feelings are. Congressman Bob Brady is working with unions and with some protesters to figure out how to move the Occupy Philly Encampment across the street from Dilworth to Thomas Paine Plaza.

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33 comments

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Comments (33)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:41 AM, 11/17/2011

The circus is in city hall today.

— CD75

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:24 PM, 11/17/2011

They need to move. Protest all you want, but what you CANT do is deface the city property and tunnels, as well as claim the property as your own. Both of which you're doing. So I understand the city being angry. They have every right to be.

— gorming

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:54 AM, 11/17/2011

Sounds like Storm the Bastille.

— maggieanne

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:57 AM, 11/17/2011

If you're frustrated that all the attention is being focused on the move - move already!

— philly transplant

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:35 PM, 11/17/2011

I can almost envision Charlie and Sweet Dee camped out. That would be an instant classic.

— Sane1

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:11 PM, 11/17/2011

Yeah - why don't they just post all of their stupid ideas in these comments sections like we do.

— schultzy

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:13 PM, 11/17/2011

If this OP crowd were serious, they be protesting graft and corruption of City Council, and other City Agencies that effect the 99% of TAX-PAYING RESIDENTS, not the CURFEW LAW!!! END THE CIRCUS NOW!!!

— Dadair1

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:16 PM, 11/17/2011

The first amandement has nothing to do with staying on the property. Protest al you want, but you have no rights staying over. It's not your property. You must MOVE.

— gorming