Occupy protesters held a rally Sunday to demand Peace and Justice Plaza remain a place for free speech.
The protest was in response to an email sent Jan. 18 by Town Manager Roger Stancil that called for ordinances to be enforced that might limit the movement’s presence.
Stancil said the town opted to ignore ordinances the protesters broke during their three-month encampment.
Those rules included requiring permits for use of the space, limiting the time the space could be used by the same organization, banning camping on public property overnight and affixing signs to public buildings.
He said in the future the town should try to enforce its rules.
“The group’s decision to vacate the Plaza presents a timely opportunity for us to consider enforcement of adopted ordinances,” Stancil said in the email to town council members.
But protesters said they are still occupying the plaza by holding several meetings each week — though their encampment has ended — and they believe ordinances limiting future protests violate their rights.
One sign held by a protester listening to speakers at the rally read, “The first amendment is our permit.”
At the protest, speakers from Occupy discussed a range of issues focused on free speech, performed a play and sang.
