'Occupy' Protesters in D.C. Told to Leave Parks

(Newsroom America) -- "Occupy" protesters were told by authorities in Washington, D.C., they had until noon to vacate two parks within sight of the White House, or they would be arrested.

The ultimatum came after the Oakland vowed to keep out Occupy Wall Street protesters that officials say are turning the city into their own playground. Some 400 protesters were arrested there over the weekend on charges ranging from failure to disperse to vandalism.

In the nation's capital, U.S. Park Police began enforcing a no-camping rule at two Washington sites where protesters have been demonstrating for months. The National Park Service on Friday warned demonstrators in McPherson Square and at Freedom Plaza that they would be subject to arrest on Monday if they failed to follow the no-camping rule.

The Park Police ordered all sorts of camping gear - sleeping bags, pillows and other items - but said tents could remain if flaps were open as part of the ongoing protest.

Some protesters said they planned to stay at the two sites to defend their positions.

The effort to enforce the rules comes after Republicans on a House oversight subcommittee asked why the park service has allowed Occupy protesters to remain camped on federal land for so long.

National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said protesters had a right to be in the parks and wouldn't be evicted, but they will be asked to sleep somewhere else, Fox News reported.

Officials in Oakland say the protesters have cost the financially strapped city about $5 million. They are seeking a court order to keep out protesters, especially those who have been arrested several times, after some Occupy participants broke into City Hall.

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