Less than 24 hours after Occupy Charlottesville designated the area around the George Rogers Clark statue as its new home, the University of Virginia notified occupiers not only that “such an encampment will not be permitted on the University’s Grounds,” according to a letter signed by the school’s new Chief Operating Officer Michael Strine, but that UVA “will take enforcement action to prevent the attempted establishment of an encampment on University property,” including issuing notices for trespassing.
The statue that occupiers singled out as a potential site is located in an area in front of the Red Roof Inn and is owned by UVA. Campus administrators appeared to be trying to head off a potential showdown by sending a message to Occupy’s local membership.
“While the University cherishes and protects robust exercise of the rights protected by the First Amendment, the University must continue to fulfill its core functions of education and patient care,” Strine wrote. The occupation, he continued, would create safety, health and hygiene problems.
“Quite simply, the University is not a campground and is not set up to support an indefinite encampment.”
Occupiers told C-VILLE that the letter, and their response, will be discussed at the group’s general assembly tonight. In the meantime, the clean up of Lee Park commenced. At last night’s meeting, members of the movement agreed to begin getting their belongings out of the park before the camping permit expires, at 6pm.
While a few members plan to remain in the park and face arrest, the majority of occupiers vowed to show solidarity by documenting the removal, but elected to vacate their camp.
Occupy Charlottesville has begun cleaning, gathering and moving their belongings out of Lee Park.
More cleaning.
This is where Occupy’s kitchen used to be.
The group’s bulletin board and instruction for the clean-up. (Chiara Canzi photos.)
