City Council continues to enforce citations on Occupy Tucson protesters
Wednesday, 26 October 2011 17:58
The Tucson City Council decided Tuesday night to continue issuing criminal citations to Occupy Tucson protesters camped out in Armory Park and Veinte de Agosto Park.
An estimated crowd of 70 Occupy Tucson supporters filled City Hall to urge city council members to stop issuing citations to the protesters and waive the fees on citations already issued.
"I don't see a bunch of criminals here, I see a bunch of concerned citizens," said William Warfield, 22, addressing the council. Warfield works in the shipping and warehouse industry and has participated in the movement since it started. He sleeps at the park with the other protesters on weekends and occasionally during the week when his work schedule permits.
According to Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor, the city has spent $37,000 on law enforcement but has saved more than $70,000 by simply issuing citations to the participants and not jailing them. So far, the city has issued more than 300 criminal citations to the occupiers.
"It's a peaceful group. It's a group that is frustrated, and they have a right to be," said Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham. "To some degree the law needs to be followed and the use [of the park] needs to be regulated."
During the call to the audience, Jack Bybee, who handles media relations for Occupy Tucson, challenged Councilman Steve Kozachik of Ward 6 to come out to the park and point out where the occupiers have trashed the park. He went on to assert, "Shirley Scott [councilwoman for Ward 4], do I look like a vagabond and a troublemaker? I am not, madam!"
Kozachik later clarified that the statement he made on KVOA News was in reference to not being able to irrigate the park's lawn since the protesters have been staying there, not that the occupiers were throwing trash on the ground. "TPD is doing what they are supposed to. Now the burden has shifted to the courts," he said refering to the issuance and payment of the citations.
Bybee, originally from a small town outside of Cape Town, South Africa, also said, "This is the first time I've participated in civil disobedience, but by God, it's about time!"
Occupy Tucson stemmed from the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York. Now the Occupy movement has grown across the country and worldwide. Crediting their tactics to the Arab Spring revolutions, Occupy Wall Street grew out of a frustration with the current political climate, corruption in business practices, and the economic hardships of the 99% of the population that are facing home foreclosures, high student loan debts, and inability to afford healthcare.
"They are midwives," said Lee Stanfield, 68, addressing the council. "Birthing a more just, more honorable, and more democratic society."
Written by Zohra Yaqub You are reading City Council continues to enforce citations on Occupy Tucson protesters articles
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