Occupy protesters evicted in Buffalo

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BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Occupy protesters were removed Thursday from a public square in Buffalo, N.Y., where they had camped since October.

About 10 members were arrested, officials said.

City officials said they had offered Occupy protesters a five-week extension at Niagara Square, until March 8, but protesters rejected it, The Buffalo News reported.

Those arrested early Thursday were charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, police said.

"It went very peaceful. Those who wanted to get arrested, got arrested. But it went peacefully," Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said.

Meanwhile, lawmakers moved to evict an Occupy Nashville encampment from the grounds of the state Capitol, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.

After a legislator called the encampment "theft" of a public place, a state House of Representatives subcommittee approved a measure that would forbid camping on state property without permission. Occupy protesters could be forced out in weeks.

Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, said the encampment has brought crime, lewdness and unsanitary conditions since it began in October.

In November, U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger issued an injunction preventing the administration of Gov. Bill Haslam from enforcing new rules that forbid camping on War Memorial Plaza. In the ruling, which followed the arrest of 49 people as state troopers tried to break up the encampment in late October, the judge said the no-camping policy restrained free speech and the administration hadn't followed proper rule-making procedures.

In Miami, Occupy protesters began planning strategy after being evicted Tuesday.

An Occupy Miami member said the group will organize teach-ins and marches while posting flyers in the city, The Miami Herald reported.