D.C. Council members support rights of Stop the Machine and Occupy DC to protest

[struggle4progress]

By Tim Craig and Sylvia Carignan, Published: October 11

Several D.C. Council members said Tuesday they have no problem with antiwar and anti-Wall Street protesters setting up extended encampments on National Park Service property in the city, and one council member hopes they “stay for years.”

Two groups are entrenched in Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square downtown. Protesters with the Stop the Machine and Occupy DC groups have erected tents and piled up boxes and other living materials as they hold meetings, decamp for marches and protests and otherwise traverse the city.

In Freedom Plaza, Stop the Machine group organizer Margaret Flowers said Tuesday that the group and the National Park Service agreed to extend its permit to stay there through Dec. 30. At McPherson Square, Occupy DC protesters have said they have no permit and have not been bothered by authorities.

In interviews Tuesday, eight of 13 council members supported the protesters’ presence ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/council-supports-right-of-stop-the-machine-and-occupy-dc-to-protest/2011/10/11/gIQAHqQfdL_story.html