Villaraigosa says protesters will have "ample time" to leave park

[brooklynite]

Source: Los Angeles Times

As the midnight deadline approaches for the closing of the City Hall encampment, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a statement saying Occupy LA protesters will have "ample time" to leave before police begin clearing their tent village.

"Though the park will officially close tonight at 12:01 a.m., the department will allow campers ample time to remove their belongings peacefully and without disruption," Villaraigosa said in a written statement Sunday night.

The mayor reiterated his earlier statements that the seven-week occupation of City Hall's south lawn had run its course and that it was time for protesters to move on.

"I am proud of the fact that this has been a peaceful, nonviolent protest," the mayor said. "I trust that we can manage the closure of City Hall Park in the same spirit of cooperation."

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/mayor-says-protesters-will-have-ample-time-to-leave-park.html