AUSTIN -- What a difference four months make. Monday, pigeons outnumbered protesters at Austin City Hall. A lone occupier stood streetside while Sam Cherry chose the steps.
"It basically took away our ability to protest in a manner where we can portray and educate the public," said Cherry, one of the few protesters left after the city's latest policy change.
Last Thursday, City Manager Marc Ott's office released a memo stating new rules forbidding sleeping, camping, or non-city business between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
"When you designate a free speech zone, you actually do have the legal right to set some parameters around that," said City of Austin Communications Director Doug Matthews.
Matthews says one of the biggest concerns is cost. Since protests started Oct. 6, it's cost city taxpayers about $1 million to pay for police protection, maintenance, and cleaning. Just last week crews cleaned an elevator after someone used it as a restroom.
"This is a location that's for everyone," said Matthews. "Those are expenses that are born by everyone, and we've got a responsibility to protect this asset and these investments."
Matthews says by Austin's Charter, the city manager is allowed to modify rules of use for any city facility, but it's the enforcement of those rules drawing disagreement on both sides.
"They had their billy clubs out and hate in their eyes," said Occupier Azzurra Crispino. "It was a very scary situation."
Friday night in less than an hour, more than 30 Austin Police Department officers evicted Occupy's City Hall camp. Some left peacefully; others did not. Eight protesters went to jail in the process, including Jordan Walsh, who is charged with assault after allegedly throwing a can at police.
Police have now arrested 136 protesters since Oct. 6, most for criminal trespass.
"I certainly felt that the city management made a mistake in not allowing more notice to Occupiers on Friday," said Kathie Tovo, Place 3 on Austin City Council.
Tovo says a few days, even a week, of warning could have gone a long way with protesters now struggling to find their identity.
"Their presence alone was enough to make every single one of these people who are driving by in their cars today to stop even if it's just for a second to stop and say, 'Wait a minute. Look at what this really is,'" said Cherry.
