Occupy Protesters Forced to Leave

After 33 days at the state house, protesters who have been sleeping at the statehouse and demonstrating along the sidewalk have been asked to peacefully vacate the area after 6 on the evening. While some adhered to the 2 hour warning given by Governor Niki Haley, and packed up their personal belongings, others were determined to stay put and instead vowed to occupy the area regardless of the cost. One occupier, Travis Bland says “our first right amendment doesn’t say you can only protests from whatever hour to whatever hour”. Bland along with more than a dozen others linked arms in refusal to leave. The Bureau of Protective Services moved in and arrested 19 of those men and women who are now being held at the Alvin Glen Detention Center. Until Wednesday, no one had been arrested with the Occupy Columbia Movement.