wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Human waste found at Occupy Charlotte campsite

Human waste found at Occupy Charlotte campsite

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By Ron Lee - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Police appear to be very serious about enforcing the new city ordnance as they wake up Occupy Charlotte protesters before dawn.

The arrival of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday at the Occupy Charlotte campsite came as a surprise to news crews.  It was even more so when city clean-up crews arrived, hopping out of a large dump truck.

It became apparent the CMPD was very serious about enforcing the new city ordinance by not allowing unauthorized camping on public property.

The tents were gone after being cleaned out by officers Monday afternoon, but a smattering of people were in sleeping bags scattered all over the grounds.

On Tuesday, haz-mat crews took samples from soil and storm drains on the campgrounds after human waste and toilet paper was discovered around the drain.

Fire officials are waiting for the sample results, but say there appears to be no immediate threat to the public. The storm drain empties into Little Sugar Creek near Central Piedmont Community College.

One protestor told WBTV the group "has nothing to do with using the bathroom in the storm drain".

Seven protestors were arrested Monday and charged with obstructing and delaying arrest, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spokesman.

Occupiers told WBTV Monday night they have filed a motion for an injunction to keep police from enforcing the new ordinance.  

Previous article: Occupy Charlotte taking battle to court after police arrest 7 at campsite

Police used flood lights on their patrol cars to roust people from their sleep.  Those who didn't move fast enough were paid a call by officers on foot.

They informed the protesters they were in violation, and needed to wake up.

The red-eyed campers sluggishly made their way back to the information tent, but not before having a few unflattering words for officers.

Both the police as well as the city crews were gone within fifteen minutes.  The ten or so Occupy Charlotte people remained.

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