Occupiers Move On - Peacefully
Pugnetti Park is looking a little empty this morning. As we write this, state workers are disassembling the temporary fence around the former Occupy Tacoma encampment, and pallets, tents, mattresses and other pieces of the camp are being loaded into trucks and hauled off.
This Sunday was the deadline for eviction set by WSDOT for the tenacious Occupiers who stuck out the winter weather in the park. Members of the encampment would have preferred to stay, and met earlier this month with state officials to try to work out a way to allow that to happen. Ultimately, however, siting safety and liability concerns, the state issued an eviction notice.
Like other municipalities around the country, Tacoma’s occupied park will go back to being an open space. Unlike other occupied parks around the country, however, we saw no pepper spray, no arrests, no shouting. According to The News Tribune, the state is trying to be flexible, allowing the Occupiers to leave under their own steam, but keeping an eye on things.
Soon the little park at 21st and Pacific will return to sleepy obscurity, and the Occupiers will move on. We’ll be watching to see what gets occupied next.
Filed under: General, pugnetti-park
8 comments
J just me February 27, 2012
Hopefully nothing will occupy Tacoma except decent citizens. I think Tacomans are a little higher class than the 60’s hippies of Seattle. Demonstrating does nothing! Get a job, get involved, have an idea? Submit it! Demonstrating just shows ignorance.
R RR Anderson February 27, 2012
Occupy Amocat March 1st for the second Tacomic Art Show ever.
Occupy Frost Park every Friday lunch hour starting in April.
next Occupy Direct Action suggestions:
1. Old City Hall ?
2. Walmart Construction Site?
3. top floor Russell building?
4. Tollefson Triangle Square?
R RR Anderson February 27, 2012
glitterbombing Rick Santorum was totally worth it.
I freaking love Occupy Tacoma.
SALUTE!
D Dylan February 28, 2012
I seriously appreciate the peaceful departure. Shows class and keeps your cause legitimate. I’m proud of the way Tacoma, the DOT, and Occupy respected each other and our community.
T Tim Smith February 28, 2012
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee has been occupying the traffic strips sround the NWDC since 2004.
C Colin March 4, 2012
I live in this neighborhood and am dismayed that the park remains closed to the public. It had served as a nice peaceful respite from the city in walking distance and is now chained shut. I respect and support the Occupy message, but have honestly missed the chance to enjoy this little oasis over the past several months. Such a shame that I still need to drive somewhere to actually enjoy a city park. I hope it will soon again be available to neither the 1% nor the 99%, but the 100%.
C Colin March 6, 2012
The WSDoT representative kindly answered my inquiry by indicating that the park will remain closed until the “surplus parcel” can be sold most likely this spring. This can hardly be considered a good outcome for Tacoma. Now the Park will be forever available to the 0%.
High fives all around.
R RR Anderson March 6, 2012
you can buy/sell land but you’re really just renting it.