Occupy San José was a peaceful protest and demonstration in City Hall Plaza in San Jose, California. The demonstration was inspired by Occupy Wall Street and is part of the larger "Occupy" protest movement. The aim of the demonstration was to begin a sustained occupation in downtown San José, the 10th largest city in the United States, to protest perceived corporate greed and social inequality, including opposing corporate influence in U.S. politics, the influence of money and corporations on democracy and a lack of legal and political repercussions for the 2008 financial crisis.
On September 17, 2011, Occupy Wall Street protests began in New York. On October 6, after four nights of occupying San José City Hall, City Attorney Rick Doyle announced plans to ask the San Jose Police Department to order protestors to leave on Friday. Around 12:30 AM on October 10, one protester was cited by police when he refused to vacate the Occupy San José site. All other protestors and their belongings were moved off-site by police, though by early morning some protestors had returned. On October 21 at around 3:00 AM, eight protestors were arrested and one cited by San José city police. City ordinances prohibit overnight camping on public property. Police stated that vandalism and sanitation issues also were a factor.
As of June 2012, Occupy San José had continued to engage in organized meetings and actions. After a year of actions and twice-weekly assemblies, Occupy San José celebrated their anniversary on October 6, 2012.
Section 13.23.300.H of the San José Municipal Code of Ordinances states: <blockquote> "No person shall camp on the city hall plaza. No person shall enter or remain on the plaza (except the sidewalks) after closing time, as established by the regulations, unless authorized to do so by the director." </blockquote>
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