Occupy Toronto protesters' eviction halted

TORONTO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Occupy Toronto protesters who were about to be evicted from their encampment in a city park can stay put for now, a judge said Tuesday.

But the judge said no one else can join the large number of protesters already there and no new structures can go up. CTV News reported.

The stay of eviction came hours after city officials posted notices that the occupiers had to vacate St James Park or be cited for trespassing. A court hearing is to be held Friday on whether or not the protest can continue in the park, with a ruling expected by Saturday evening, CTV said.

Protester Kevin Konnyu told the network police had informed the group they would be left alone.

"It feels like a victory," he said. "But they're still trying to shut down this peaceful assembly."

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday told reporters earlier in the day he hopes the situation stays peaceful.

"We are still hoping that the majority of people will leave and that there will not be any violence down there and that there won't be any arrests. I know that is a pretty tall order," he said.

Several hundred people have been camped in the park for the past 31 days, the Toronto Star reported.

The notice came with a letter from City Manager Joe Pennachetti.

"In particular, the city can no longer permit the appropriation of St. James Park by a relatively small group of people to the exclusion of all others wishing to use the park and to the detriment of those in the vicinity of the park," the letter said. "In addition, the current use of the park by Occupy Toronto and others occupying St. James Park is causing damage to the park and interfering with necessary winter maintenance of the park."

Activist Doug Hatlem told the Star the protests against corporate greed and economic inequity wasn't going to go away.

"We'll reoccupy the park or occupy another park," he said. "They can take away our tents, but they, but they can't stop the movement. We're too big to jail."