Gazette

ED ANDRIESKI, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A man walks through line of tents at Civic Center Park accross from the Capitol in Denver, Colo., on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. People protesting the government's response to financial crises are camping at the park in what they are calling "Shanty Town."

Hickenlooper: Protesters' camp near Capitol is illegal

October 13, 2011 3:56 PM

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper says Wall Street protesters near the state Capitol can demonstrate during the day but must tear down their tent camp.

Hickenlooper, Attorney General John Suthers and Mayor Michael Hancock said camping on state property is illegal. All said they want to guarantee protesters' First Amendment rights but said plans are being drawn up to close the tent camp if needed for security and sanitary reasons.

Hickenlooper toured the camp Thursday and spoke with protesters, who number in the dozens.

Mostly peaceful protests have been held or are planned in Denver, Colorado Springs, Longmont, Boulder, Aspen and Fort Collins.

Occupy Colorado Springs protesters who put up tents near the Uncle Wilbur Fountain in Acacia Park have been warned by police they face arrest if they violate the city ordinance prohibiting camping in public places or are in the park after it closes at 11 p.m. No one had been arrested as of noon Thursday.

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