Occupy Duluth to begin Wednesday

Source: Flickr, David_Shankbone

Activists in Duluth plan to occupy a site in the city’s downtown in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street actions in New York, which have sparked occupations across the country, including in Minneapolis.

A Facebook page run by the group lists a general assembly meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, where protesters will decide which site to occupy.

The Duluth News Tribune reported that the most likely site, Minnesota Power Plaza, had “no trespassing” signs posted on Wednesday morning. The plaza is owned jointly by the city and Minnesota Power. The power company’s spokesman, Amy Rutledge, told the Duluth News Tribune that the company wasn’t trying to take away protesters’ free speech rights.

“I think we’re treating it differently in that we’ve never necessarily had this kind of an event before,” Rutledge said. “Given how the events have played out in other areas where there’s talk about camping out, we are treating it a little differently. They’re talking about camping out, and we’re not comfortable with that happening on private property.”

Protesters note that the signs were removed by Wednesday afternoon.

The original meeting of Occupy Duluth happened Monday, more than 70 people showed up, according to the News Tribune.

Protesters plan to join a labor demonstration before the general assembly Wednesday afternoon, some union leaders have voiced support for the occupation.