http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/downtown-dallas/headlines/20111010-occupy-dallas-gets-permit-to-stay-in-park.ece?action=reregisterProtesters who have occupied downtown’s Pioneer Plaza for several days received a city permit Monday to remain camped in the park until 5 p.m. Friday.
Despite the permit, the potential remains for conflict between protesters and City Hall as some demonstrators vow to stay longer.
City officials worked with Occupy Dallas throughout the day Monday to allow protesters to remain at the park continuously until the Friday deadline.
Occupy Dallas is an arm of a nationwide protest movement that began on Wall Street.
But several protesters said they want permission to remain at Pioneer Plaza indefinitely, something Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed to allow for a similar protest in New York City.
“We’re basically here until the change occurs. That could be a while,” said Michael Prestonise of Occupy Dallas’ media committee.
The protest has focused largely on an imbalance of wealth in the country, lack of job opportunities and an ongoing debt crisis. The protest has included marches on downtown banks and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
A city news release said officials are trying to work with Occupy Dallas.
“The city is balancing this group’s First Amendment rights with a focus on protecting the protesters and the public — like many other cities across the country experiencing similar protests,” the city’s statement read.
The statement didn’t address what actions the city would take if protesters refuse to leave after the Friday deadline.