Insurance Too Pricey for Anti-Wall Street Protesters in Duluth, Minnesota

November 23, 2011

Anti-Wall Street protesters ignored police orders to get a permit and limit their encampment to one tent in downtown Duluth, Minn. The protesters said the cost of insurance needed for the permit is too high.

On Nov. 22 police dismantled the camp set up by the protesters. Officers roused about a dozen people at the encampment on the Civic Center plaza about 6:30 Tuesday morning. No one was arrested.

As officers took down two tents and confiscated other camping equipment, they told protesters they were free to stay at the plaza.

Police have told the demonstrators they need a permit to put up a tent on the public property. Demonstrators say the insurance fee is too expensive.

City Councilor Sharla Gardner had asked police Chief Gordon Ramsay and the city attorney to waive the insurance fee, but was unsuccessful.

Ramsay met with three protesters on Nov. 21 and repeated his message. Demonstrations are allowed, but occupiers need a permit for an overnight structure.

Protesters yelled at officers as they took down the camp. The Duluth News Tribune reports Assistant Police Chief Mike Tusken told the demonstrators their belongings would be taken to the police property room and returned to them later.

Topics Law Enforcement Minnesota

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