SANTA CRUZ, Calif--
They're back! A group of Occupy Santa Cruz protesters gathered on the steps of the county courthouse, Saturday, as part of the three month anniversary of the start of the movement.
"After a few weeks of local governments cracking down on occupations all over the country, we're gathering just to make it clear that the occupation movement is alive and well," said Paul Johnston, Occupy Santa Cruz.
Demonstrators did just that, Saturday, by reclaiming Santa Cruz.
Robert Norse is upset the city and county tried to evict them. "They have been given, I think, too much license to run off legitimate protests and for years they've been given too much license to destroy the survival, property, space for homeless people for whom there is no place to go," he said.
But that's not the only issue protesters are focusing on. Paul Johnston said the occupy movement is approaching a new era which isn't confining their protests to one location.
"There are several homeowners who've contacted us and we're considering occupations at their homes on their invitations in order to send a message to the banks that are foreclosing on them," said Johnston.
Demonstrators said taking over San Lorenzo Park again is a touchy subject amongst protesters. They said that right now they have a good relationship with the city and they want to keep it that way.
"We're really starting to open up to city officials more as far as the negotiation table and vice versa," said Malcolm Barth, Occupy Santa Cruz. "And that's a new thing behind what happened with the situation here."
Protesters said the occupy movement isn't going away any time soon no matter what restrictions are put in their way.
The county imposed a curfew on demonstrators. They have to leave the property at 7:00 p.m. and can return at 7:00 a.m. or face trespassing charges.
Security guards hired by the county said they haven't had an issue with demonstrators staying past curfew.
