Occupy LA protesters brace for eviction

LOS ANGELES: Dozens of anti-Wall Street protesters in Los Angeles braced for eviction from a park near city hall expected early Monday -- some folding their tents and others digging in to resist police.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday ordered the protesters to leave the spot, where they have been rallying since October, by 12:01 am (0801 GMT) Monday, citing public safety concerns.

The group called for a rally in front of city hall late Sunday to send a message to officials.

A message on the website of Occupy LA -- loosely linked with other groups that emerged from the Occupy Wall Street movement -- said the group was "not going anywhere, we are everywhere.

"Even if they do fence in city hall lawn, we still have plenty of streets to take," said the website.

"We also need to focus less on the protest grounds, and more on the long-term sustainability of the movement. We can take the occupation on tour, on every street of Los Angeles if we put our minds to it!"

Some members were packing up, seeking to avoid a confrontation with police.

Victor Pantoja told the Los Angeles Times: "Like they say, 'Run away to fight another day.' I'm not going to get arrested."

But a tweet from the group said: "Occupy LA is the last strong occupy camp, let's not go down without peaceful resistance."

Officials said the deadline set by the mayor did not mean police would move in immediately to clear the camp.

City police chief Charlie Beck said: "That does not mean that we will physically remove people at 12:01. What that means is that after 12:01, we have the ability to enforce the law."

The mayor announced Friday the park would be temporarily closing out of concern for the public safety implications of a long-term encampment.

An extra 50 beds for homeless demonstrators will be set up at local shelters, Villaraigosa said.

The Occupy Wall Street movement started in September as a ragtag march on New York's Financial District to protest against corporate greed and income inequality.

It quickly mushroomed into a national movement centered on tent camps in New York, Washington, Oakland, California and other cities.

In Philadelphia, a 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) deadline to leave passed Sunday without all protesters vacating their downtown camp.

Although the initial crowd of thousands had thinned considerably, a group of about 50 sat down, pledging to stay until they were arrested.

The police presence was light and the situation remained peaceful. (AFP)