I didn't see this posted anywhere else here, but this is pretty big.
Activist Leah Bolger is Tweeting that the October 2011 Coalition, in Freedom Plaza in DC, has had their permit extended for four months.
NBC Washington is reporting it as well:
Authorities granted protesters a four-month extension to continue occupying Freedom Plaza in D.C., News4's Chris Gordon reported.
A deadline for protesters with the October 2011/Stop the Machine demonstration to pack up and leave Freedom Plaza came and went Monday afternoon. The protesters were given until 2 p.m. to break down their stage and other equipment after their original four-day permit expired Sunday. While the protesters cleaned the space and took down the stage where they led rallies, made speeches and played music, they didn't leave.
At about 2 p.m. Monday, Park Police went to Freedom Plaza and requested a private meeting with protest organizers. They met at National Park Service headquarters about 4 p.m., Gordon reported. Before leaving Freedom Plaza, the organizers told the crowd they'd stay until they're ready to leave.
The organizers returned to a round of applause when they told demonstrators that authorities offered the four-month extension, Gordon police. Park Police realized it was not in their best interests to shut the demonstrators down or make arrests, organizers said, and asked if demonstrators needed to be arrested to make their point. The organizers replied that they don’t need to be arrested over a permit issue and want their issues addressed.
As a little background, I went last night and the protesters were fully expecting arrests to occur. In my opinion, this is an extremely positive and surprising development. The police are in almost all cases part of the 99%, and having them on our side (or at least not against our side) is something that we should embrace.