Judge orders Madison “Occupy” campers to leave site

Occupy Madison

MADISON (AP) — Campers are dismantling their tents after a Dane County judge ordered what began as an Occupy Madison demonstration to leave a city-owned lot.

Police expect the campers to be gone by mid-afternoon Tuesday, May 1st. They had until noon to leave the site.

No incidents have been reported.

The Occupy Madison movement began last October as a demonstration against economic inequality and social injustice. But the encampment has evolved into a gathering spot of mostly homeless people. About 50 to 60 people have occupied the site.

Mayor Paul Soglin says the encampment has become a haven for drug use, assault and property crime. Soglin said the encampment will be treated as a hazardous waste site during cleanup because of reports of needles and bodily fluids.

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