Poll: Should the City Put a Stop to Occupy Iowa City?
The Occupy Iowa City takeover of College Green Park appears to be coming to an end.
Occupy Iowa City started with energy and fanfare in October, but over time the encampment faded.
It may be of little surprise to some that the city didn't extend a permit, which expires on Feb. 29, and set a deadline for the protest to vacate College Green Park.
What do you think, is it time for Occupiers to get out of College Green? Is the city justified in not renewing the permit? Vote in our Patch Poll below.
Several tents still dot College Green Park, but the number has dwindled. And few, if any, Occupy protesters can be found at the park anymore, at least not on any regular basis. Some contend that at this point the Occupy base has turned into a refuge for the homeless.
However, the reasons the city listed for booting Occupy Iowa City don't necessarily add up. The city cited that the Occupy presence had led to the park becoming less usable for the public at large, it had damaged the park turf, led to decreasing sanitary conditions in the park and required an unusual degree of police resources to keep the peace.
All of these issues existed when the protest began.
Timothy
8:06 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Its entirely innapropriate to think that the INTERNET is OUR source for change. Change has always been a facet of this world, and THE MOST effective way to promote change is through publicly visusal organization. You can keep your tweets, and your facebook, 'cause they mean nothing to me. Being in the news for physically protesting is the only way that others realize your not busy sitting on your butt, and actually are putting yourself out there to make a change happen. Will this work? I dont know that answer. But, I will say this. This country is hitting a critical mass point where something is gonnac' blow unless something changes drastically.
Jeff Roetman
5:31 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tim, my problem with this "movement" is that the goals are undefined, in part, because the problem is undefined. So what exactly is the goal of the movement?
And I hear a lot of this "critical mass" garbage but don't understand what exact mass is becoming critical?
And what exactly is going to blow??? Society? I don't think so.
I think our society is very sensitive to protecting us from threats, external and internal. That was exceptionally displayed in the weeks and months following 911.
Jon Trouten
8:07 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I voted "Yes". What are they accomplishing at College Green Park? Most people involved with the program aren't even occupying the park anymore. A Gazette reporter went there Monday and found one single occupier. She admitted that there are only a couple occupiers occupying the park. Otherwise, there are lots of problems being caused by people not associated with the movement. Occupy Iowa City really needs to re-evaluate and re-invent its purpose beyond College Green Park, IMHO.
Mary
11:25 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
So much more has been gained through internet campaigns. The protests are something left over from another generation. The campsites ruin areas that are supposed to be for the public to enjoy and invite crime into the areas.
What started as such a virtuous movement is now deformed with shouts of "solidarity" and lack of empathy for the homeless who inevitably gather.
Henry Losiewicz
8:32 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We need to Have away to stop eviction for a unemployed person, and we need to feed them so they can get a feeling that someone cares.
Tonto
11:15 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Easy, get your check book out Henry.