Mayor Brown: No More Camping on City Property Following Occupy Buffalo Eviction | News

BUFFALO, NY - Mayor Byron Brown and Buffalo Police officials held a press conference Thursday morning at City Hall to discuss the eviction and arrests. 

SWAT Team members and Buffalo Police officers moved in on the Occupy Buffalo encampment at Niagara Square overnight.

WEB EXTRA: Photo Gallery of Occupy Buffalo Eviction

Mayor Brown says the city met with occupiers and offered to extend their contract until March 8, 2012, but that the occupiers declined the offer.  Their group spokesperson told 2 On Your Side Wednesday they wanted it extended to the end of March.

Mayor Brown says the city gave every individual an opportunity to leave on their own.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda says, "We did not anticipate violence but we prepared for the worst and hoped for the best."

The eviction came after the group's permit to stay in the square expired at midnight. Crews moved in to dismantle the occupiers' tents and other structures. The raid happened around 2:00am Thursday. Several protesters were arrested.

Mayor Brown said the city will no longer allow camping in public spaces, following Occupy Buffalo's eviction from Niagara Square.

Police removed a splinter group of demonstrators from nearby Lafayette Square on December 21.
 
Occupy movement encampments have also been shut down by police in Albany and Syracuse.