Authorities Back Occupy New Haven's Presence On Green

When allegations of federal complicity in the shutdown of Occupy Wall Street sites across the nation went viral last weekend, the phenomenon showed that the crackdowns had clearly touched a nerve. 

Yet, remains on the New Haven green, and, according to the City of New Haven, that’s where ONH, at least at present, has permission to stay.

“I don’t foresee the city feeling a need to clear the green,” said Robert Smuts, chief administrative officer for the City of New Haven. “The green has been a center of assembly and free speech for 373 years, and we’re not about to try to change that — we’re proud of that heritage.”

“It’s worth noting that the green is actually not a public park,” Smuts continued, delving into some New Haven history while speaking Wednesday from his office which overlooks the green. “It’s controlled by the proprietors of the green, which is a group of five, self-perpetuating members who act as trustees of the space.” 

Smuts noted that the proprietors of the green have not objected to the ONH presence. 

Occupy's Impact on City Services, Business

He termed the impact of ONH on city government as not very significant.  He conceded the city has incurred some additional costs for police patrols, and he said the city is also paying for the group’s port-a-lets. Mindful, however, of one death in Occupy Salt Lake City from carbon monoxide coming from a propane heater, he termed safety the biggest concern the city has.

Smuts said the city has been very clear with the protestors that it will enforce regulations that concern safety issues, just as it does with fire codes on buildings and group assemblies of any kind. Yet, he said, ONH has been very cooperative in working with the city. 

“Safety,” he asserted, “has not been an issue.” 

No objections emerged from other officials, such as whether the presence of ONH has affected the businesses downtown.

“In my personal opinion,” said Clay Williams, who serves as the small business development officer in the Department of Economic and Business Development, “there has been no impact whatsoever.” 

Williams said he has walked up and down the streets in downtown New Haven doing a bit of holiday shopping and also speaking with the merchants. 

“Nobody talks about it,” he said.

In fact, the presence of the largely taffeta fabric tents -- some abutting the upper green’s mid-19th century iron fence -- has proved so nonintrusive that an employee at the city’s Department of Health, which is located away from city hall, professed total ignorance of the occupiers.

“Is anyone there?” she asked.

Growing Presence on the Green

The ONH presence on a green remarkably free of litter, with its trash split for recycling, continues to grow. In late October, ONH consisted of between 15 and 20 tents, said , who serves on the outreach committee. On Friday, according to a member of one of the safety teams on site, the number of tents wedged between Yale University and the federal structures once known as Quality Row stood at 76.

“I’m surprised every time I go down there,” McGaffin said. “They’re determined and willing to stay, and preparing for the [winter] weather.”

McGaffin also saw the New England tradition of the green as one reason for the group’s longevity.

“The entire reason why towns in New England have a green is for peaceful assembly -- to gather and have public discourse,” she said. “The green’s not meant to be looked at. It’s meant to be used.”