32 cited in second night of Occupy Tucson protest

Posted Oct 16, 2011

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

Will Seberger/TucsonSentinel.comOccupy Tucson at Armory Park near downtown Tucson on Saturday. A crowd of about 400 people gathered in Armory Park to protest a diverse range of policies and practices ranging from big banks to the deficit and corporate patronage of politics.

Tucson police arrested 32 Occupy Tucson demonstrators who refused to vacate downtown's Armory Park after closing time Sunday night, a departmental spokesman said.

"Throughout the day, the demonstration was both peaceful and lawful. By early evening, the number of demonstrators in the park had reduced to approximately 100. Members of the group announced their intent to remain in the park again after hours during a General Assembly meeting of participants. Members expressed their desire to once again accept a criminal citation without resistance or conflict," said TPD's Sgt. Matt Ronstadt in a press release.

"As the posted 10:30 p.m. park closing time approached, a significant number of the demonstrators voluntarily left the park," Ronstadt said.

More from the release:

Enforcement of Tucson City Code 21-3(7)(3) Remaining in City Park After Hours began at approximately 10:40 p.m. As officers entered the park to begin enforcement, they were met by a group of approximately 30 demonstrators who had already organized themselves into lines and presented themselves for arrest. Each person contacted was individually advised that they were in violation of City Code and were subject to arrest if they chose to remain in the park. They were also advised that they were free to leave at that time to avoid arrest. Ultimately, 32 demonstrators were arrested, issued a criminal citation, and field released at the scene. No force was used during the arrests, and each contact was videotaped in the same manner as during the previous arrests. All enforcement action was completed by approximately 11:15 p.m.

Tucson police arrested and cited 53 protesters Saturday night, after they refused to leave the park. Police did not force the demonstrators to leave the park after they were cited and released.

Protesters had originally planned to demonstrate at Veinte de Agosto Park, at the corner of Broadway and Church Avenue, but moved so as to not interfere with the Tucson Meet Yourself festival being held this weekend.

Occupy Tucson organizers did not request a permit to hold an event at Armory Park from the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.