Occupy Fresno Protesters Arrested

Camille Russell, Peace Fresno VP, writes:

I arrived at Courthouse Park at 3:40 a.m. The rain had stopped. Tents and other items had been removed. The Occupy Fresno sign remained and the area around it was lit. There were small groups of people quietly standing on the sidewalk away from the gazebo and in the parking lot street. I found Dan. He told me the occupiers had been given time to take down the tents and put things into cars.

Fifteen occupiers, including the group's attorney Bob Navarro, began walking single file toward the gazebo. They sat on the gazebo steps beneath the Occupy Fresno sign in 2 rows and began chanting. (Darn, I left the camera in the car.)

Hell no; we won't go,
Occupy Fresno

We are the 99%

Whose streets?
Our streets

There were 40 sheriffs in the area. They wore helmets with the visors up and stood in lines on the sides of the gazebo and in front of those of us observing; others were scattered about.

Fifteen of us were supporters and observers.

One of the sheriffs spoke from a loudspeaker in a vehicle parked on the walkway that angles to the center of the park. He announced his name, which I couldn't understand, and Fresno County then said, "I hearby declare this an unlawful assembly. In the name of the people of the State of California, you are ordered to disperse."

He repeated that statement about 6 times. Then the sheriffs moved in as a group and handcuffed the demonstrators, who cooperated. The sheriffs led the demonstrators to paddy wagons parked near the Hall of Records.

At 3:58 the sheriffs took down the Occupy Fresno sign.