« Back to Article |
Occupy protesters told to leave Tranquillity Park
By Mike Tolson | February 13, 2012 | Updated: February 14, 2012 12:38am
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protesters pack up their site in Tranquillity Park before sundown Monday. (Michael Paulsen / Chronicle)
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protesters pack up their site in Tranquillity Park before sundown Monday. (Michael Paulsen / Chronicle)
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protesters pack up their site in Tranquillity Park before sundown Monday. (Michael Paulsen / Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Tiffany Arline takes shelter from the rain as she along with Occupy Houston members and Good Jobs Great Houston members walk down McKinney Street Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Houston.
-
Photo By Cody Duty
An Occupy Houston protestor is arrested after laying in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Carmen Solorzano waves a dollar in the air as she and Occupy Houston members along with Good Jobs Great Houston protestors stand outside of Wells Fargo Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Houston.
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston members along with members of Good Jobs Greater Houston protest outside of CenterPoint Energy Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Houston. The pig represented the "greedy, tax-dodging corporations," according to Good Jobs Greater Houston organizer Jimmie Brown said.
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors lay in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
CODY DUTY : CHRONICLE OCCUPY RED TENT?: Police cover Occupy Houston protesters with a tent before cutting off PVC pipes used by the group to band their arms together. The protesters came out of the tent one at a time, then were handcuffed and detained by officers.
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors lay in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors are covered with a tent by police before they are arrested in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors lay in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors stand in protest in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston. The event, Occupy The Port, was part of a nationwide movement targeting the nation's ports. Around 20 members were arrested according to the Houston Police Department. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
An Occupy Houston protestor is arrested after laying in the exit ramp of Loop 610 at the Port of Houston Authority Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra BeltranMAYRA BELTRÁN : CHRONICLE SHOOTING SCENE: Occupy Houston demonstrators watch as their friends are interviewed after Monday night's shooting.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Amy Tepper and "J.J" talk about their experience when a gunman walked into Occupy Houston Camp at Tranquility Park and shoots into air on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston. Amy Tepper was terrified when the gunman pointed the gun at her in close range.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Houston Police investigates the scene where a gun man walked into Occupy Houston Camp at Tranquility Park and shoots into air on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston ChronicleAmy Tepper says she is still shaken up after a gun walked into Occupy Houston Camp at Tranquility Park and points a gun at her in close range on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston ChronicleJamin Stocker looks at fellow occupiers interviewed by Houston Police after a gunman walks into Occupy Houston Camp at Tranquility Park and shoots into air on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Eric KayneERIC KAYNE : FOR THE CHRONICLE HOUSTON: A member of Occupy Houston is arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Thursday. Police said about a dozen of the 200-300 protesters were arrested. See story, more photos on chron.com
-
Photo By Pat Sullivan/Associated PressAn Occupy Houston marcher reacts as a police horse grabs her poster and she stages a sit-in in the middle of the street Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, in downtown Houston. About a dozen marchers were arrested.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the ChronicleMembers of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the ChronicleMembers of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the ChronicleMembers of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston protest as others are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Police officers walk over the Travis Street bridge to meet members of Occupy Houston as they marched and blocked the on-ramp to the North Freeway in downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston march through downtown.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston sit in the middle of the street in downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston march through downtown Houston.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston march through downtown toward the North Freeway onramp Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston march through downtown Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen
Protesters with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower in Houston. ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle file photo)
-
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Onlookers watch as Occupy Houston protestors stand outside of Amegy Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Marty Power,left, argues with Occupy Houston protestor Benjamin Franklin, right, outside of Wells Fargo Plaza Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Marty Power taunts Occupy Houston protestors outside of Wells Fargo Plaza Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
CODY DUTY : CHRONICLE MAKING A STATEMENT: Occupy Houston protesters march to Wells Fargo Plaza on Friday in Houston. They also marched on four banks: Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. The demonstrators say they're against corporate greed and economic inequality.
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestor Jessica Broom holds an American flag as she protests outside of JPMorgan Chase Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors walk down Main Street on their way to Wells Fargo Plaza Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestor Jordan Johnson types a letter on his typewriter as he prepares to tie it to a balloon and release it so people can see it in high offices at the Wells Fargo Plaza Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Occupy Houston protestors walk down Main Street on their way to Wells Fargo Plaza Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, in Houston. Protestors made a Divestment March where they protested outside four nearby banking institutions in downtown Houston - Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Amegy. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty
Anthony Childress, center, gets emotional as he answer questions during a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in Houston. Childress claims he was beaten by four Houston Police Officers and plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Houston Police Department for the alleged October 2, 2011 beating. Childress, supported with family and friends, protested along with the National Black United Front, the New Black Panther Party, members from Occupy Houston, along with other organizations about police brutality outside of City Hall. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)
-
National Black United Front member Jean Wilkins Dember, center, prays along with other protesters from the New Black Panther Party, from Occupy Houston, and other organizations outside of City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in Houston. (Cody Duty /Houston Chronicle)
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Protesters from different organizations including the National Black United Front pray along with other protesters from the New Black Panther Party, from Occupy Houston, and other organizations outside of City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in Houston. Protesters gathered to protest about police brutality after Anthony Childress, not pictured, claims he was beaten by four Houston Police Officers and plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Houston Police Department for the alleged October 2, 2011 beating.
-
Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
Alisha Curry, left, holds a printout of photos showing Anthony Childress, right, after he was allegedly beaten by Houston Police Officers during a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in Houston. Childress claims he was beaten by four Houston Police Officers and plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Houston Police Department for the alleged October 2, 2011 beating. Childress, supported with family and friends, protested along with the National Black United Front, the New Black Panther Party, members from Occupy Houston, along with other organizations about police brutality outside of City Hall.
-
Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle
Members of Occupy Houston are arrested after sitting in the middle of Travis Street to block the North Freeway on-ramp after a march through downtown Houston Nov. 17, 2011.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Rapper Bun B stands in solidarity with Occupy Houston protesters staging at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
The Occupation movement began Oct. 6, and protesters continue to gather in small numbers at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Leif Hayman, 22, of Houston, protest against corporate greed with Occupy Houston protesters at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Scott Gregory, Rapper Bun B, and Darin Williams discuss politics as they participate in Occupy Houston where protesters staging at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Rapper Bun B stands in solidarity with Occupy Houston protesters staging at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Rapper Bun B unites with Occupy Houston protesters staging at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Rapper Bun B photographs protesters participating in Occupy Houston at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Yancy Cooper wears a sign as he and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Justin Conry (second from right) an anti-protestor is confronted by protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Justin Conry (center) an anti-protestor is hounded by members of the media as protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Justin Conry (right) an anti-protestor is confronted by HPD officers during a gathering of protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Justin Conry (right) an anti-protestor is confronted by Jamin Stocker (left) and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Hiba Siddiqui holds a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Cody Adams (center) and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Derick Broze uses his computer's web cam to record video as he and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, gather at City Hall in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Laura Haley (center) holds a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, march to City Hall as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Laura Haley (center) holds a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, march to City Hall as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
David Cervantes (center) holds a sign as he and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, march to City Hall as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
David Cervantes holds a sign as he and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement march to City Hall.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Lisa Squires holds a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Lisa Squires holds a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Workers from inside the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower watch the protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Brian Ford (second from left) holds a sign as event co-organizer Dustin Phipps speaks to the crowd with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Mary Westemeier holds up a sign as she and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Raffi Wakefield (center) holds up a sign as he and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Niki Williams and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Brian Ford and other protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, stand in front of the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Protestors with the Occupy Houston movement, an outgrowth of the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, march to the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower as they gathered in downtown Houston to denounce what they describe as social and economic equality and corporate greed, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Houston.
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protesters pack up their site in Tranquillity Park before sundown Monday. (Michael Paulsen / Chronicle)
-
Photo By Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
Occupy Houston protesters pack up their site in Tranquillity Park before sundown Monday. (Michael Paulsen / Chronicle)
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenCarl Gibson, center, and other participants in the Occupy Houston movement march at Tranquillity Park after police officers cleared the park after sunset Monday on Mayor Annise Parker's orders.
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenRacheal Tate (left) and Andrew Ealy move a sign as they and other participants in the Occupy Houston movement pack up their belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenSarath Chay, a participant in the Occupy Houston movement, packs up his belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenJustin Meeker (center) and other participants in the Occupy Houston movement pack up their belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenHouston Police Officers stand guard at Tranquility Park after Occupy Houston participants were asked to vacate the park before police officers moved in and took it over after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenHouston Police Officers walk through Tranquility Park looking for Occupy Houston participants after police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenA participant in the Occupy Houston movement holds a sing after they began to pack up their belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenJ.J. Freeman videotapes the eviction of Occupy Houston participants from Tranquility Park as Houston Police Officers stand ready, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenJessica Wade gets a hug from Shere Dore as they and other participants in the Occupy Houston movement pack up their belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenJ.J. Freeman videotapes the eviction of Occupy Houston participants from Tranquility Park as Houston Police Officers stand ready, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. âÄúI told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort,âÄù said Mayor Annise Parker. âÄúI support their right to free speech and IâÄôm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they canâÄôt simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving.âÄù ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenAndrew Ealy (center) and other participants in the Occupy Houston movement march at Tranquility Park after police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenA sticker lies in an abandoned pile of Occupy Houston goods at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
-
Photo By Michael PaulsenSarath Chay (left to right), Robert Andrews and Johnny Chiovini, participants in the Occupy Houston movement, pack up their belongings at Tranquility Park before police officers moved in and took over the park after sunset on Mayor Annise Parker's orders, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in Houston. The move comes approximately four months after Occupy Houston movement began. "I told Occupy Houston leaders in January they need to decide the next phase for their effort," said Mayor Annise Parker. "I support their right to free speech and I'm sympathetic to their call for reform of the financial system, but they can't simply continue to occupy a space indefinitely. We have to get the area ready for the spring festivals and that necessitates their leaving." ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle )
Occupy Houston became a figurative protest Monday evening when city officials closed down the small encampment still left in Tranquillity Park, a modernistic patch of downtown grass and concrete that had served as the local operation's de facto home for several months.
Citing upcoming spring festivals that had rented the park and nearby grounds, Mayor Annise Parker said the time had come for protesters to leave. Parker praised their peacefulness and expressed sympathy for their movement - part of a nationwide campaign against economic inequality and the influence of Wall Street over national politics - but said the local group needed a "nudge" to end its visible presence in the virtual shadow of City Hall.
"It's time for them to move on to the next phase of their protest," Parker said.
Parker said the Occupy Houston protesters would not be allowed to move to another park. She said she had spoken with representatives from the movement last month and told them they would not be allowed to stay on city property indefinitely. But the order to vacate was not issued until earlier Monday.
No arrests were reported as police cleared the park. A small number of protesters showed up at the site when word spread that the park was being closed, but the camp had been mostly empty earlier in the day.
Throughout its four-month protest, Occupy Houston was praised for its cooperation with authorities and other groups that had paid for use of the public property it was on.
Overnight ban
Parker stressed that Occupy Houston would still be allowed to exercise its free-speech rights on city property, as would any other group, but its members will not be allowed to remain overnight.
She also said Tranquillity Park will be closed immediately for repairs. It will need to be thoroughly cleaned and resodded, she said. The city estimates the cost of doing so will run about $13,000. The protest has cost Houston Police Department more than $350,000 in salaries and overtime, city officials said.
"We had a very safe protest and good communication with the protesters all along," Parker said. "No one was arrested who did not want to be arrested. They can take credit for the longest occupation of any city."
The Occupy Houston protest began in early October, about three weeks after its celebrated counterpart on Wall Street. It was forced to move several times because the city property it had occupied was rented for activities. In December, 20 Occupy Houston protesters were arrested at the Port of Houston.
When the Occupy movement reached Houston, between 600 and 800 protesters attended Tranquillity Park for weeks.
'Still here'
Four months later, the number had dwindled to only a handful as the end drew near, according to political activist Joe Roche.
Roche is a substitute teacher and currently handles the social media for Occupy Houston.
"Occupy Houston will survive and continue," said Roche. "Members are splitting off to focus on their specialties, and they are still here, even though the weather chased a lot of them off."
Roche praised local political leaders for not provoking confrontation.
"This has been the longest-running occupation in the country without eviction or violence. We have had political figures come by several times, including Mayor Parker, and speak with us. We have been very successful in starting an ongoing national dialogue with our leaders," he said.
Parker criticized
Roche heard about the mayor's order through Houston Police Department's Central Intelligence Division a few days earlier, and remained in the park to warn arriving protesters. He said he did not want trouble with police and expected others to comply with the order closing the park.
Some, however, would have preferred a more personal touch from Parker at the end.
"Why didn't the mayor let us know in person?" said protester Shere Dore. "I've been here almost every day since October, and I had to find out from the media today. We have had good relationships so far. It's very disheartening to see those four months of hard work end this way."