Occupy Baltimore
Encyclopedia
Occupy Baltimore is a peaceful protest and demonstration
that began on October 4, 2011 in Baltimore
, Maryland
, in McKeldin Square
near the Inner Harbor
area of Downtown Baltimore
. It is one of the many Occupy movement
s around the United States and worldwide, inspired by Occupy Wall Street
.
Toward the end of October, the city stated that the wanted to scale back the protest. They wanted to limit the hours the protesters were at the site, the number of tents at the site, and the amount of space at the site the protesters were using. The concern was that the site was being used as a campground, which is was not supposed to be, and each case would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, the group has been determined to keep their protest alive, not letting the city's decision to cut off power stop them, and planning to winterize their tents for the cold.
On November 17, 2011, protesters marched on the Howard Street Bridge. The bridge was chosen by the protesters because they said it was a symbol of the city's decaying infrastructure and the need to get Americans back to work.
declared the encampment was illegal on the basis that McKeldin Square is not a campground. The city stated that anyone is free to protest at the location, but not to camp overnight. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said each illegal act would be handled on a "case-by-case basis." the city stated that they wanted to avoid a violent confrontation.
The ACLU has defended the movement is constitutionally protected free speech.
Toward the end of November, the movement applied for a 6-month permit to occupy McKeldin Square and to set up 4 large and up to 40 personal tents. The city denied the permit on the basis that permits are not issued for more than 5 days or 150 people.
. The concert was cancelled over safety concerns.
on the Johns Hopkins University
campus. They stated that Rove had "occupied" Iraq and Afghanistan.
Demonstration (people)
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers.Actions such as...
that began on October 4, 2011 in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, in McKeldin Square
McKeldin Square
McKeldin Square is an area of Downtown Baltimore, located near the Inner Harbor at the corners of Pratt and Light Streets.The square, with its fountain, serves as a gateway to the Inner Harbor....
near the Inner Harbor
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and iconic landmark of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as “the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the World.” The Inner Harbor is actually the end of the...
area of Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore is the section of Baltimore traditionally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the west, Mt. Royal Avenue to the north, President Street to the east and the Inner Harbor area to the south. It consists of four neighborhoods: Westside, City Centre, Inner Harbor, and...
. It is one of the many Occupy movement
Occupy movement
The Occupy movement is an international protest movement which is primarily directed against economic and social inequality. The first Occupy protest to be widely covered was Occupy Wall Street in New York City, taking place on September 17, 2011...
s around the United States and worldwide, inspired by Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street is an ongoing series of demonstrations initiated by the Canadian activist group Adbusters which began September 17, 2011 in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City's Wall Street financial district...
.
Toward the end of October, the city stated that the wanted to scale back the protest. They wanted to limit the hours the protesters were at the site, the number of tents at the site, and the amount of space at the site the protesters were using. The concern was that the site was being used as a campground, which is was not supposed to be, and each case would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, the group has been determined to keep their protest alive, not letting the city's decision to cut off power stop them, and planning to winterize their tents for the cold.
On November 17, 2011, protesters marched on the Howard Street Bridge. The bridge was chosen by the protesters because they said it was a symbol of the city's decaying infrastructure and the need to get Americans back to work.
Origin
The occupation of McKeldin Square began on October 4, 2011. This came after a meeting held on October 2 by 150 people at a different location. Those holding the meeting requested that a Baltimore Sun reporter leave.Messages
Organizers from the beginning did not have a single ideology. Various messages have been voiced by protesters. These include:- Shortages of jobs
- Frustrations over the economy
- Demands for greater public input in urban planning.
- Student loans that are difficult to pay off.
Legality
On October 25, City HallBaltimore City Hall
Baltimore City Hall is the official seat of government of the City of Baltimore. City Hall houses the offices of the mayor and those of the Baltimore City Council. The building also hosts the city comptroller, some city departments and chambers of the Baltimore City Council...
declared the encampment was illegal on the basis that McKeldin Square is not a campground. The city stated that anyone is free to protest at the location, but not to camp overnight. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said each illegal act would be handled on a "case-by-case basis." the city stated that they wanted to avoid a violent confrontation.
The ACLU has defended the movement is constitutionally protected free speech.
Toward the end of November, the movement applied for a 6-month permit to occupy McKeldin Square and to set up 4 large and up to 40 personal tents. The city denied the permit on the basis that permits are not issued for more than 5 days or 150 people.
Rape and robbery allegations
On Friday, October 28, a woman claimed she had been sexually assaulted in her tent and robbed of $1800 cash. She said she could not go home because the attackers had taken her bills and knew where she lived. A 38-year-old man was taken into custody, though no evidence of a sexual assault was found.Cutting off of power
On November 2, the city cut off power to the occupiers at McKeldin Square, citing safety concerns. The protesters had been using the electrical outlets at the square for their basic needs, including heating food and charging cell phones and laptops. The protesters said this would not stop them. Protesters have responded by setting up solar panels and are also attempting to set up a bicycle that can generate electrical power.Concert cancellation
Protesters blamed Baltimore Police for forcing the cancellation of a November 12 concert by the band CelebrationCelebration (band)
Celebration is a psychedelic soul band based out of Baltimore, Maryland.-History:Celebration is composed of singer Katrina Ford, multi-instrumentalist Sean Antanaitis and drummer David Bergander, with a number of additional rotating members: Walker Teret plays bass, sometimes guitar, percussion and...
. The concert was cancelled over safety concerns.
Disruption of Karl Rove
On November 15, protesters interrupted a speech given by Karl RoveKarl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
on the Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
campus. They stated that Rove had "occupied" Iraq and Afghanistan.