A few people stayed the night on Saturday, and donations and support kept coming in through yesterday. On Sunday, organizers say, Fort Lauderdale police told them they wouldn't be allowed to stay over.
An attorney who has been working with the movement contacted the park's owner, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), according to organizer Adam Salater. They agreed to let the protesters stay with a few preconditions.
But now, he says, they've changed their mind, telling the occupiers to leave.
An emergency assembly is scheduled in the park for 7:30 this evening.
"The mayor [Jack Seiler] gave us the thumbs up for the occupation," says Salater. "So did the chief of police [Frank Adderley], who said he was really impressed with us," referencing the nonviolent, non-messy rally on Saturday.
"Today, we got a call from the attorney, saying that DDA changed their minds and wanted to close the park at night," he continues. He says the group heard that DDA wants to close the park from 2 to 6 a.m. and disallow the use of tarps and tents at any time (last night, tents were conspicuously lacking, and campers gathered under the amphitheater roof which poured rivulets of rain over the concrete steps).
On their Facebook page, Occupy Fort Lauderdale organizers are urging supporters to call the Fort Lauderdale City Commission members or DDA officials.
An emergency meeting is scheduled for 7:30 tonight at the park. We have a call out to DDA to confirm the terms of their decision, and find out some of the reasoning behind it.
Stefan Kamph is a New Times staff writer.
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