The only Occupation in New York to have been evicted from their site has now reached an agreement with the City of Rochester. Occupy Rochester is putting up tents right now in Washington Square Park.
Almost two weeks after they first occupied Washington Square Park and were evicted with 32 arrested, Occupy Rochester reached an agreement with Rochester Mayor Tom Richards and ratified it at their General Assembly.
Occupy Rochester has spent the intervening days in an ongoing dance with the Rochester Police Department and Mayor Richards - with police arriving nightly to enforce an 11pm park curfew, occupiers sleeping on sidewalks, and appeals to the Mayor to reconsider his stance. The New York Civil Liberties Union had been engaged and working with Occupy Rochester, preparing to file for an injunction on future evictions.
From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle the latest details of the terms of the agreement:
City spokesman Gary Walker confirmed the agreement, and Mayor Thomas Richards and Police Chief James Sheppard arrived at the park around 6 p.m. today. The agreement was signed by Richards and members of Occupy Rochester.
The agreement expires Jan. 11, 2012 -- about two months from today and beyond the coming holidays.
Among the conditions are that the south portion of the park can be occupied during all hours but the right for everyone to use the park must be respected. There can be no barriers or obstructions placed in the park. The park must be kept clean. No weapons, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, glass bottles or containers will be allowed.
Any campers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Support for Occupy Rochester came in the form of intervention by multiple Rochester City Council members who approached the Mayor to encourage engagement with Occupy Rochester to respect the right to freedom of speech and assembly while defining rules that would ensure public access to the park and public safety.
At this time the first tents are going up.