What has previously been a a good relationship with the City and the Houston Police Department came to an end last night when ten were arrested.
At approximately 11:00 PM, HPD arrested 10 Occupy Houston participants as a result of a dispute over a tarp being used to protect equipment belonging to Occupy Houston from inclement weather.
Police confronted one of the Occupy Houston participants about the placement of a tarp in Tranquility Park and requested its removal. The participant refused to remove the tarp on the grounds that it was necessary to protect equipment vital to the participants’ well-being. The participant discussed the matter with officers over a period of approximately 20 minutes, during which time HPD presence at the occupation site escalated dramatically, reaching a total of 27 officers and 19 police
cruisers.
After failing to reach a resolution, police insisted that an arrest would be made if the tarp were not removed. The aforementioned participant remained steadfast in his position and 5 additional Occupy Houston participants indicated their willingness to be arrested on these terms as well. HPD then proceeded to arrest the participants and confiscate the tarp and other equipment belonging to the occupiers.
Four additional Occupy Houston participants were detained during the course of the arrests. Three individuals who were filming the event were detained for jaywalking after attempting to cross Walker St. at Bagby, where a police cruiser was obstructing the crosswalk. Another participant was arrested while requesting the name and badge number of one of the arresting officers. Three of the detained persons were released after a period of time, while the remaining 7 participants were booked into the municipal jail facility located on Lubbock.
http://occupyhouston.org/...
There are plans for a demonstration later today to show solidarity with those arrested and to protest the city’s unwillingness to allow Occupy Houston to adequately protect the food, medical supplies and electronic equipment that maintain the safety and health of the protesters while they conduct their constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
7:44 AM PT: UPDATE: We have a rough timeline of the situation available. All times are approximate.
8:30pm: Approximately three Houston police officers approached Shaun, a sustainability and peacekeeping volunteer, calling his tarp a structure in violation of city ordinance. The previous night HPD advised us on how to put up a tarp and not violate ordinances, so Shaun refused and stayed with other Occupy Houston members under the tarp.
9:30pm: Approximately 13 HPD officers are present at Tranqility park.
10:00pm: Approximately 18 HPD officers are present at Tranquility park.
11:00pm: Approximately 27 HPD officers in approximately 19 squad cars arrest seven members of Occupy Houston. Some had to be carried away.
HPD officers were in communication with Burke, a councilor working with Occupy Houston, advising on how to remove the tarp and items under the tarp, and how to avoid arrest. Shortly after Occupy Houston members were arrested Burke and his wife were seized then arrested by HPD officers for jaywalking. An HPD squad car was blocking the crosswalk at the intersection of Bagby St. and Walker St. at the time.
A majority of HPD offricers refused contact with Occupy Houston members requesting officer name, and badge numbers.
Those awaiting arrest used the people’s microphone to recite Amendments one through fourteen of the U.S. Constitution and HPD’s mission statement.
9:13 AM PT: Sounds heavy handed with large fines to me:
Rico had his court date at 10:00am and was given an $860 fine.
Amanda had her court date at 9:00am, plead no contest, and was given a $210 fine.
Shaun had his court date at 10:00am and was given a $210 fine.
Remington is currently held in city jail downtown on charges of disobeying an officer. His bail is set at $235.10.
Chris, Matthew, and Erick are being held in city jail downtown on charges of erecting a structure. Their current status is incomplete.