Occupy Union Square: The Evolution Of A New Protest Camp

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http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/03/occupy_union_sq.php


Occupy's new outpost in Union Square.

When the NYPD again forcefully evicted Occupy Wall Street from Zuccotti Park more than a week ago, many of those who weren't arrested marched north, leading police on a winding course that finally ended at around 2 a.m. in Union Square.

Most of the protesters went home after that, but a handful stayed the night, launching what has become, over the past eight days, a new encampment for the Occupy movement.

For the occupiers, Union Square offers a number of advantages over Zuccotti Park, where they spent last fall. It's much larger, with an open layout in a heavily trafficked location that lends itself to street outreach. Union Square also boasts a proud history as the center of labor, communist and anarchist rallies going back more than a century.

It's a city park subject to city rules, unlike Zuccotti, whose private owners had their own interests to protect. Union Square also has the advantage, theoretically at least, of tolerance for overnight stays. Though the park officially closes at midnight, the city has historically allowed people to sleep in the park in small groups.