OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — State officials are asking Occupy Olympia protesters to remove dozens of tents, saying the makeshift community at a lakeside park is unsustainable.
The Department of Enterprise Services said Friday that there are escalating public safety concerns at Heritage Park. The Washington State Patrol has listed a variety of reported problems at the site, and authorities have arrested one person for assault and three people for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Occupy Olympia has formed itself into a miniature city, with regularly scheduled meetings, food services and first aid. A state-managed bathroom facility is in the park.
State officials are not giving a deadline, saying they hope protesters voluntarily comply with the request. Protesters say they are formulating a response.
