Mayor Threatens to Boot Occupy Atlanta

Things could soon get ugly in Atlanta, as Mayor Kasim Reed intends to boot Occupy protesters from Woodruff Park—while protesters have no intention of going quietly. Reed announced yesterday that he will void his order allowing protesters to stay in the park until Nov. 7. Demonstrators responded with their own news conference last night, and were still in the park early today. “We have to let the mayor know he didn't get into office by himself,” said one former city councilman.

Police started erecting barricades yesterday, and Reed said the police and fire departments will be ready to clear the park when he gives the order. But at the moment, the entrances and exits are still clear, the Journal-Constitution reports. Protest organizers are prepared for some demonstrators to be arrested when the park is cleared, and have instructed those who are not arrested to re-occupy the park at 6am the following morning. Reed’s decision to halt the protests comes after an unauthorized hip-hop concert was held in the park over the weekend. Reed called the situation dangerous and expensive, while demonstrators insist he is exaggerating the threat. (More Occupy Wall Street stories.)