Occupy Seattle: continue protest in Westlake Park

SEATTLE (AP) — Occupy Seattle organizers say protesters have decided to continue their demonstration indefinitely at Westlake Park, although the mayor has offered them camping accommodations at City Hall Plaza. Some of the protesters do say they plan to move to City Hall.

In an email, the group also said it plans a mass occupation of Westlake Park with tents starting Saturday.

Late Wednesday night, police made at least one arrest at Westlake Park but television stations then reported police left the downtown gathering spot. A police spokesman did not return a call for comment.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Mike McGinn said police and the Parks Department have been told to start enforcing the rules at Westlake Park. The mayor’s statement said that includes prohibitions against camping and unpermitted activity. The city will provide permits for First Amendment uses during regular park hours.

Now in its second week, the demonstration is part of the Occupy Wall Street demonstration against corporate power.

The crowd at the Occupy Seattle protest grew Wednesday after several hundred students from Seattle colleges including the University of Washington marched to join the downtown demonstration.

The group later marched to City Hall, then headed back to Westlake Park.

Television stations reported two arrests Wednesday evening. A police spokesman did not immediately return an Associated Press call seeking details.

His statement says thatincludes prohibitions against camping and unpermitted activity. The city will provide permits for First Amendment uses during regular park hours. The mayor has said campers could be accommodated at City Hall Plaza.

Now in its second week, the demonstration is part of the Occupy Wall Street demonstration against corporate power.