Occupy RVA looks for new location after Halloween raid

Mason Brown
Staff Writer

Mechelle Hankerson
News Editor

The Occupy Richmond protest is looking for a new permanent location after being uprooted by Richmond Police on Oct. 31 at 1 a.m.

The breakup came a few days after Mayor Dwight C. Jones visited the park and warned occupiers that camping on public grounds was breaking city laws.

The group has unofficially adopted VCUs Compass as their new location for general assemblies. Assemblies are used to make decisions among the group, and now they must decide the protest’s next moves, including whether or not to stay mobile or set up camp somewhere else in the city.

Occupy Richmond was entering its 15th night when police descended on Kanawha Plaza, where occupiers had set up a camp.

Nine arrests were made on the charges of trespassing and/or obstruction of justice.

Five protesters were taken into custody while the other four were issued summons, including VCU student Thomas Darron.

Darron has been spending most nights with Occupy Richmond since its beginning and said he was trying to re-enter the Plaza after police told occupiers they could remove items.

According to Darron, he was crossing the street when police took him aside. Darron took a citation rather than being arrested, but said he plans on disputing the charges later this month in court with multiple videos he has of the situation.

According to Occupy Richmond’s Twitter, only one protester remained in jail at the time of press.

Richmond mayor Jones told CBS6 he thought Richmond Police “showed great restraint” in their raid and said he welcomes protests, but wants to make sure it does not break the law.

“My advice would be, if you want to protest, do that all day, but please don’t break the law,” Mayor Jones told CBS6.

During a meeting held in Monroe Park on Monday, participants complained about the removal of their items from the public plaza.

According to occupier Zach Lewis, police arrived to the camp and threw out food, blankets, books and other supplies and resources out when they couldnt be recovered within the time police allowed.

“There was nothing to warrant any police officers,” Lewis said. “It was a peaceful assembly of American citizens that were expressing ideas and talking about what is going on in our country, and if that requires large police force action, there is something wrong with the people that run our government.”

Lewis, like many of the occupiers, was concerned about the status of the homeless population that called Kanawha Plaza their home.

“All those people are now dispersed,” Lewis said.

Richmond and VCU are keeping a close eye as the protesters regroup. During the meeting held Monday night in the compass, VCU police had officers watch as the group of around 100 made plans for their next move.

“I believe anything is possible if any amount of people with enough will and brainpower come together and assemble because were allowed to,” Lewis said. “I would like to see that happen again, or anything that will keep the attention on this movement. …We need to let everyone know that something is going on.”

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Photos by Amber-Lynn Taber