TRI In The News

'Occupy Lynchburg' Presents Manifesto to City Manager

December 12, 2011

From The News and Advance

The Occupy Lynchburg movement presented its manifesto to City Manager Kimball Payne on Saturday and asked him to help organize a community discussion about social and economic justice.

This was the fourth weekend Occupy Lynchburg held a demonstration in Miller Park. Nine people participated.

The city manager attended at the group’s request to hear out its concerns and take questions. He emphasized that city officials supported the public’s right to protest and always seek to provide a safe forum.

"I think that’s something we value as a community," Payne said, noting demonstrations regularly occur at the foot of Monument Terrace across from City Hall.

Some occupiers referenced a Dec. 4 op-ed piece written by John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute on the abrasive treatment protestors receive from government, including a 2004 incident where Boston police herded demonstrators into cages made of jersey walls and chain link fences.

Payne said he didn’t feel that applied to Lynchburg. "I think it’s ridiculous to put people in cages for protesting," he said.

Last weekend, a man not affiliated with the Occupy movement was arrested for pitching a tent in Miller Park. Some occupiers complained about the incident Saturday, saying the man was a disabled veteran and ardent volunteer who was trying to run a first aid tent for the homeless.

"They brought five police vehicles to arrest one man with one leg," Don Manning said. "That was unnecessary."

Payne said he understood the conversation between the man and police officers was cordial, and that the man was given a chance to sign a summons and leave, but insisted on being arrested. The occupiers, some of whom know the man, did not dispute that.

Payne said the city could not allow tents, overnight camping or burning in the park.

"There’s no reason people can’t use parks," he said of the Occupy demonstration. "That’s what parks are for. But we’ve been clear that these three things, we’ve seen in other places that once these things start — fires, tents and camping — it doesn’t end well. We don’t want to go there."

Manning said Occupy Lynchburg’s attendance numbers had been hurt by a rumor that an occupier called the police on the man who was arrested. Payne said no one called the police.

The man was charged with misdemeanor counts of engaging in a prohibited public place activity and resisting arrest without force. He was released on his own recognizance shortly after his arrest.

Most of the questions asked Saturday were about demonstration permits, rights of protestors and the man who was arrested.

Payne said he applauded anyone who took an interest in civic issues and got involved.

"One thing that is frustrating to city officials is more people aren’t involved," he said. "… We are big on community engagement. If someone wants to get involved, we want to support that."

Manning said the demonstrators have been very pleased with the Parks & Recreation Department and most police officers.

"They (officers) come by and wave at us," he said. "They’re friends. They know they’re part of the 99 percent."

The occupiers asked the city for help organizing a community meeting about how to further economic justice in Lynchburg. Payne said they’d be willing to act as a partner and help out, but he felt the community, not the city, should take the lead in running the initiative.

Manning said he was glad to hear Payne's supportive statements.

"Our protest is the first step in repairing our country and community," he said. "… It’s about how Lynchburg can move to a more just economic community where people can get the income and benefits they require."

Manning added they would try to affect change "neighborhood by neighborhood."

"That’s our goal," he said. "… We need to build a coalition with as many organizations as possible. This started on Wall Street and we’re taking it to Main Street, Lynchburg."