Protesters from the Occupy Sacramento protest filed into the City Council meeting to have the anti-camping ordinance lifted so they could assemble throughout the night but were not successful.
Passion and emotions were high from the protesters and the City Council waited until all 40 people who registered to speak finished what they wanted to say and then the council took their turn.
Police Chief Braziel provided a report for the City Council that said the city has extended the hours so that people could be in the park.
Usually Cesar Chavez Park is closed from dusk till dawn but since the protesters have occupied the park the hours have been extended to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, he said.
Braziel said that the city manager has the authority to approve a special event camping permit and the Occupy Sacramento protesters had not applied for the permit.
Many voices were heard by the city council including young men and women, old men and women, veterans, lawyers and retired educators.
Cindy Sheehan drove from Vacaville to support the Sacramento occupiers at the city council.
Sheehan said that she could of drove to many of the different occupy protests but she chose Sacramento because it was the capital of California and hoped that the City Council would hold up the first-amendment right to assemble peacefully.
Matt, a member of the Occupy Sacramento protest said, “Show that you are patriots and part of the 99%, stop telling us our constitutional rights end at 11 p.m.”
Sean Laney, the occupations education chair said the park needs to remain open at all times because it takes a lot of time to set up and take down equipment, and those hours could be used to educate people.
The occupiers have been educating people on what the occupy protests are about and is educating anyone on any subject they wish to learn, which has included school subjects and job skills.
Sean said, “The problem is apathy and now people are discussing the problems, please be part of the solution.”
Christina Kay, another who spoke on behalf of the Occupy Sacramento protesters said, “The constitution was not drafted during business hours and we have been a shining example of a peaceful protests.”
The protesters wanted a vote from the City Council on the anti-camping ordinance but the item on the agenda was to only hear from the public.
No decision was going to be made and this was not acceptable from one Occupy Sacramento supporter, he said the City Council should give an un-official vote so the people knew where they stood.
City councilman Steve Cohn said, “I am convinced you are on the right side of history and this council is with you.”
He said the occupiers had his support to keep their equipment in the park over night but that it was not the same support to lift the ordinance.
Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said she understands what the protesters wanted but she had been receiving emails from her constituents and they don’t want the protesters in the park.
Mayor Kevin Johnson said the City Council had heard everyone and it will be taken into consideration but he could only offer dialogue at this time.
Johnson said he would come across to the park and discuss the intensions of the occupiers so a letter could be drafted and he would take it with him next time he goes to Washington before the end of the year.
After the agenda item the occupiers left the chambers and went out side.
“We were offered dialogue but that is not what we asked for,” said the crowd.
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