Occupy Dallas is back with downtown protest march

DALLAS — Occupy Dallas protesters got close to the CityLights festivities downtown on Saturday.
About 100 people marched from their original camp at Pioneer Plaza to Main Street Garden Park, the site of an evening tree-lighting ceremony.
It's the first big Occupy Dallas demonstration since the city cleared out the group's campsite at a park near City Hall two days ago.
Demonstrators said that while the city took their camp away, they're still here and not going anywhere

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Overwhelming police presence 'unnecessary,' Occupy Dallas lawyer says

DALLAS — Before scores of police officers moved in to dismantle the Occupy Dallas campground early Thursday morning, Jonathan Winocour, an attorney representing the protesters, advised them to leave peacefully. He said the overwhelming police presence was "unnecessary."

"Frankly, it's a grossly disproportionate use of threatened force for this situation," he said. "It's very aggressive, in-your face policing. This is reminiscent of some nascent police state; that's a little scary."

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As it happened: Police raid Occupy Dallas

Clock ticking on Occupy Dallas encampment

DALLAS — For 40 days, we've watched them camp behind City Hall.

Occupy Dallas protesters have grown in numbers as tension built with police. Last week, city officials told them to clean up their act or lose their campsite.

A judge allowed them to stay through the weekend, but Occupy's time could be running out.

At a hearing Tuesday morning, the group hopes to secure a restraining order to keep the city from kicking them out. As the demonstrators conduct goes back to court, there's impatience at their camp and inside City Hall.

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City to probe Occupy Dallas confrontation at bank WFAA [video]

DALLAS — The City of Dallas is launching an investigation into Saturday's Occupy Dallas protest that ended with arrests.
In a brief written statement to News 8, city spokesman Frank Librio said Dallas police "will review whatever video is available next week as part of an overall review of the incident."
Several videos shot by protesters show confrontations between officers and activists as the group marched outside downtown banks Saturday in support of Bank Transfer Day.

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After a month, Occupy Dallas gets more organized

DALLAS - The Occupy Dallas movement is putting new guidelines into effect to become more organized.
The group has been staging protests for the last month around downtown Dallas.
In the coming days, organizers say they plan to put new programs into place.
The group plans on taking better accountability of its members, including registering them at a "Welcome Tent" and knowing where they're staying on the grounds.

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Sex assault prompts security boost at Occupy Dallas camp [video] WFAA

DALLAS — The face of the Occupy Dallas movement we've come to know over the past few weeks shows protesters angry over wealth and upset with big banks.

Now a convicted sex offender has overshadowed those demonstrators.

Richard Wayne Armstrong, 24, is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old runaway from Garland at the protest group's downtown campsite. Police said Armstrong had been part of the group living in the tent city near City Hall, but he failed to register as a sex offender in Dallas County.

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Arrested Occupy Dallas protesters released WFAA [video]

DALLAS - Nearly two dozen Occupy Dallas protesters are free Tuesday after spending the night in jail. They were arrested following protests at the downtown Chase bank for not letting customers inside.

As Paul Penny sees it, this was a moment of sacrifice and solidarity for Occupy Dallas. He was arrested and spent the night in jail.

"The point was to raise awareness,” Penny said.

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Occupy Dallas planning more events after arrests WFAA [ video]

DALLAS — For 19 days, we've watched the Occupy Dallas protesters demonstrate peacefully downtown.
It all began with a march to the Federal Reserve Bank on October 6. But on Monday, the movement took a different turn as some members of the group blocked access to a Chase bank.
Police arrested 24 people, the first Occupy Dallas members to end up in custody in Dallas.
Monday's protest started like many of the others.

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Occupy Dallas participants block downtown building, 20 arrested [video]

Moving day for Occupy Dallas protesters ( also update on #OccupyDenton) WFAA [video]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Moving-day-for-Occupy-Dallas-protesters-131944228.html

Occupy Dallas demonstrators may change protest location - WFAA Video

Occupy Dallas demonstrators may change protest location - offered site near Farmer's Market

DALLAS - Occupy Dallas protesters illegally camping at Pioneer Park in downtown Dallas have discussed moving.
They say the city has offered them an alternate site to continue their protest near Farmers Market and Dallas City Hall. But, there are split opinions and the demonstrators have not decided whether they will take the offer.
A federal judge will listen to arguments Friday as to whether the city can move protesters out since they did not meet city permit requirements.
Demonstrators say they have a First Amendment right to remain at Pioneer Park.
E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com

Permit issues for 'Occupy Dallas'

Pioneer Plaza in downtown Dallas looked like a campsite on Wednesday, where demonstrators with Occupy Dallas rode out the morning's rain in pup tents.

Economic protesters set up camp in downtown Dallas WFAA October 9th 2011