Occupy Honolulu protesters packed up tents and other belongings on Thursday as city officials enforce a ban on the storage of personal property in public places.
Demonstrators carried away their belongings from the corner of Beretania and Ward streets one day after city officials issued notices that crews would impound personal belongings not removed in 24 hours. City officials moved in after 1 p.m. to begin the cleanup of items left behind.
Protester Chris Smith told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/xIIvy8) he removed some personal items so they wouldn't be confiscated. But he said he has no plans to leave the park.
"I'm here to make a stand, not to play games with them," said Smith. He said he came to Hawaii in November to help organize the protest movement here.
City crews on Wednesday issued 31 citations for property at the site next to Thomas Square Park.
They acted under a new law that allows officials to remove personal property stored in public areas. The city earlier this year gave similar notices to dozens of homeless people living on sidewalks and in parks.
The ordinance gives city officials the authority to tag property left in public for more a day. Property owners have 24 hours to remove the tagged items before they are impounded.
The bill's sponsor, Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, has said the measure aims to keep public spaces safe and accessible. Residents have complained that tents and shopping carts on sidewalks and in parks make it difficult for people to enjoy these areas.
Critics say the law unfairly targets Honolulu's large homeless population.
The measure was proposed before Occupy protesters began demonstrating in November.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
