SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A federal judge denied a legal effort by Occupy San Diego demonstrators to block police from enforcing a ban on camping in public places, city officials said.
Judge William Hayes Thursday rejected an argument by an attorney for the protesters that the ordinance against setting down personal items on public space is aimed at curbing the protesters' freedom of speech, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Protesters occupying Civic Center Plaza have been ordered to remove their tents, tables and sleeping bags. They said police have been selectively enforcing the ordinance, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said the judge's ruling against a temporary restraining order makes it "clear that First Amendment rights are important and must be respected, but they don't allow a takeover of public property."
