2 weekend Occupy arrests in Minneapolis

11:58 PM, Nov. 20, 2011  |  

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MINNEAPOLIS — Two people arrested in Minneapolis during a weekend protest against Wall Street remained in custody Sunday, while a video posted on the Occupy Minnesota website showed an officer appearing to use his squad car to push one of the men out of the way during the demonstration.
The men were arrested Saturday at a foreclosed home that was being occupied by protesters. One was arrested on charges of burglary and trespassing, while the other was arrested for obstruction of justice after refusing to move for police. A video posted on the group’s website shows the man standing in front of a squad car, as an officer slowly begins driving the car forward — causing the man to be pushed back.
“I think a police officer, using his vehicle on any civilian — unarmed and peaceful — is just wrong,” said Osha Karow, one of the organizers of the Minnesota protest.
Police Sgt. John Sullivan said no one has reported any injuries, and he’s not aware of anything nefarious on the part of police. He said he hadn’t seen the video, so he had no further comment.
About two dozen protesters returned to the foreclosed home Sunday as fire officials boarded up the house. Police were on hand, but Sullivan said the protesters were peaceful and there were no arrests.
Meanwhile in Duluth, about a dozen protesters were sharing one large tent Sunday. Duluth police had told the protesters they must remove their tents from a downtown plaza by midnight Sunday night or face arrest.
But Occupy Duluth spokesman Tyler Nord said police told protesters they could have one tent. He pointed to a letter posted on the group’s website.
The letter, which is dated Nov. 16 and appears to be on letterhead from the city’s police department, says the city offered to allow “one single structure for shelter during cold weather.” The letter also says a “park special use permit” would be required.
Duluth police spokesman Jim Hansen said the group needs to get that permit and hasn’t done so yet.
“We don’t have a permit with parks and rec, but we have a written communique from the police department saying everything will be fine,” Nord said. He said protesters were meeting with police this morning, something Hansen could not confirm.