The Occupy in Pensacola is going a bit smoother than its sister-campout in Mobile.
While about 20 protesters were arrested overnight in Mobile, local leaders seem intent on working with the Pensacola group that is still spread across the lawn at City Hall.
“My hope is that we will continue to have a dialogue with Occupy Pensacola,†said Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons.
The local Occupy currently has a permit allowing them at City Hall. The Mobile contingent had lost their permit and then decided to regroup at another location. Authorities arrived around 1 a.m. this morning and hauled the group to jail, where they began posting bail a few hours later.
Simmons said the local group currently had a valid permit, and that the city was working with Occupy Pensacola to determine what the next step could be.
“How it moves forward is dependent on those continued conversations,†Simmons said.
After a two-week stint on Palafox Street, the city arranged to have Occupy Pensacola move to City Hall. The tents pitched on the lawn have been a point of contention with Mayor Ashton Hayward’s office, though Pensacola City Council paved the way to allow the tents through Nov. 10.
The issue is expected to be taken up again during tomorrow’s city council meeting, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.