Occupy Mobile protesters arrested

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - About 20 Occupy Mobile protesters were arrested early Wednesday morning. Some are students at South Alabama, and there are also a few from Pensacola.

The group had been kicked out of Spanish Plaza in Mobile Tuesday afternoon. Protesters regrouped Tuesday night and decided to camp out at Memorial Park between Government Street and Airport Boulevard at The Loop.

Charges against the group include criminal trespassing, and at least one person is charged wth possession of marijuana.

The protesters had been providing a live stream of their protest online. Video shows police arriving at the park shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Police told the protesters they were violating a city ordinance, and they were asked to leave. About 20 people were arrested and taken to Mobile Metro Jail. They were given a $500 bond and began bailing out around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Protesters held a news conference at Government Plaza in Mobile Wednesday at 1 p.m., where they let one man speak on behalf of the group.

“This is unjust. It’s unconstitutional. This is not the way the things work in the United States of America,” said an Occupy Mobile protester. “We stay together. We keep moving. This is definitely far from a death blow. If anything, this has strengthened our movement."

However, the park closes at dusk. In response, a protester said, “We have the right of assembly under the Constitution, both the Alabama Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. Both of those trump city ordinance."

FOX10 asked protesters what their end goal was with the protests and what the motive is behind the movement.

“The movement is very broad movement. There is not one single direct thing that we're demanding. We're bringing awareness to a large scope of issues,” said a protester.

Some Mobile residents we spoke with said they support protesting in general, as long as it’s peaceful and legal.

“Protest but do it in the right way,” said Jody Mobley.

“I think as long as you're peaceful you should be able to protest,” said Emily Thacker.

Others said the situation is getting out of control.

“Live at home, go to a public place to protest, then go back home. When you're camping out, using the bathroom facilities, stuff like that, it just gets ridiculous,” said Doug Davis.

“It gets people’s attention, but I don't really know if it does anything in the long run. I don't really think the politicians care about it,” said Jessica Stombaugh.

FOX10 asked protesters if they plan to apply for a permit to protest peacefully, but they would not give an answer.