News Release
Notice to "Occupy" Campers:
Leave Victoria Park in Compliance with Park By-law
(Friday, Nov. 11, 2011) – Occupy Nova Scotia was put on notice today that they are in violation of HRM by-law P-600 prohibiting camping in municipal parks.
Notices were distributed to participants in Victoria Park today. The occupiers have been informed that under the provisions of the Municipal Parks By-Law camping without written permission is prohibited. Similarly, no one is to be in a municipal park between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. without the written permission of HRM.
“Council and the public have respected the right to peaceful protest and free assembly, but the time has come for the encampment to end,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “Our parks are for all of the public, not an unregulated campground for some.”
Under the notice, the occupiers are required to take down their tents and other structures and collect their belongings so the park may return to regular public use. The content of the notice is included below. If the encampment does not disband, the by-law will be enforced.
The provisions of the Parks by-law will also be enforced in the Grand Parade.
“Since the departure of the protesters from the Grand Parade, we have made a significant effort to bring it back to the condition the public expect,” said the Mayor. “Camping will not be permitted in the Grand Parade or any HRM park.”
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010 (office)
222-9999 (cell)
NOTICE TO PERSONS OCCUPYING HRM PARKSFriday, November 11, 2011
While the Halifax Regional Municipality has respected the Occupy Nova Scotia participants’ right to a peaceful assembly and their right to have their issues known publicly, it is now time to return Victoria Park, the Grand Parade and other HRM parks to the public at large and for protest participants to comply with the Municipal Parks By-Law.
Pursuant to Municipal Parks By-Law P-600
HRM will be enforcing this By-law effective November 11, 2011, by this notice you are required to remove any tents, belongings and any other items or structures from Victoria Park. Failure to do so will result in further enforcement of By-Law P-600.
By-Law P-600 also applies to the Grand Parade and will be enforced. While overnight occupation and the erection of tents or other structures for accommodation is prohibited under the By-law, all HRM parks remain a place for assembly and peaceful protest.
Mike Labrecque,
Acting Chief Administrative Officer
So you tell them they are alowed to move to the park. then take it back and kick them out. that kinda makes you look like the badguy. i really don't see why they can't ptotest. they had the respect to leave for rembrance day. let them have there voice heard
It's about time the city has acted. Now give back the taxpayers land so us taxpayers can use it. All of you unemployed hippy bums pack up and get out.
If they're suddenly going to start enforcing bylaw P-600, then they'll need to monitor the Grand Parade overnight to make sure nobody cuts through it after 10pm on their way out of the Dome.
"1. Camping in municipal parks is prohibited unless otherwise posted or by written permission of HRM."
Oh, you mean the permission Mayor Peter Kelly gave them until 10PM tonight, nov. 11th? What a P.O.S
Machiavelli Kelly: Are you not in breach of an agreement reached with the protesters that they would clear out from the Grand Parade for Nov 11 and move to Victoria Park. Did I misunderstand it or did CBC report it incorrectly or are you in breach, Mr. Kelly?
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