OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Occupy protesters have won an early legal battle against the Washington State Patrol.
Attorneys for the demonstrators won a temporary restraining order Tuesday after arguing that authorities cannot issue trespass warnings without due process or the right to appeal. They also believe the notices violate First Amendment rights.
The patrol issued the warnings to some protesters last week, prohibiting them from returning to Capitol Campus property for 30 days. Dozens of demonstrators defied an order to leave the capitol at the end of the Legislature’s first day of the special session.
Another hearing on the issue will take place in January. A spokesman for the patrol declined immediate comment.
