Chester Thai ’14
Police have broken up Occupy movements in major cities across the country during the few past months due to public health concerns, leading some to question the constitutionality of these evictions. The first eviction occurred mid-November in New York City, the origin of the movement. At 1:00 A.M., the police sealed off Zuccotti Park, used pepper spray, shields, and batons to disperse protesters, and arrested about 200 people. Similar evictions occurred on smaller scales in other cities, including Los Angles, Boston, and Philadelphia. Many protesters have agreed that police brutality was unacceptable and that eviction violated their first amendment rights, which protect citizens’ freedom of speech and freedom to peacefully assemble. However, Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, defended New York City’s actions in a statement following the evictions. “The City had two principal goals,” he said. “Guaranteeing public health and safety, and guaranteeing the protesters’ First Amendment rights. But when those two goals clash, the health and safety of the public and our first responders must be the priority.” The evictions stemmed largely from public health concerns. A few weeks prior to the break-up of Occupy Wall Street, generators and fuel were removed from Zuccotti Park due to a fire hazard. “The occupation was coming to pose a health and fire safety hazard to the protesters and to the surrounding community…The park had become covered in tents and tarps, making it next to impossible to safely navigate for the public and for first responders who are responsible for guaranteeing public safety.” In addition, Charles Bryant, head of the History Department, said, “The homeless were starting to gravitate towards the protests. This is a code blue public health concern because the homeless could freeze during the winter.” “The government has to balance the right of protest with the right to public places. The first amendment is not unlimited when people are denying others the right to a public park,” said Bryant. Although the evictions have set the Occupy Movement back, sentiments of inequality that characterized the Occupy Movements linger, and protesters remain dissatisfied. Shortly following the eviction of Zuccotti Park, protesters had a “Day of Action” and marched to the New York Stock Exchange and the Brooklyn Bridge. Similar marches occurred throughout the country in the following weeks. Bryant said, “Occupy Wall Street will not go away as much as fade. The anger will be mitigated as the economy and jobs improve. People won’t forget it but will just put it on the back burner.”