A Raleigh City Council committee denied a request for Occupy Raleigh protesters to encamp near City Hall. Supporters of the Occupy Raleigh movement addressed members of the Law and Public Safety committee Tuesday morning. The group wanted to move to one of two locations that included Avery Upchurch park near City Hall.
Council members said they were concerned about safety, noise and setting a new precedent. It's currently illegal to sleep in a public park.
As a compromise, the council members said they would support the protesters efforts to find a private place for their movement.
"Going through a private channel takes a very long period of time," said member of Occupy Raleigh, Kurt Zehnder. "You have to work with the surrounding businesses and while there's nothing wrong with that -- it's a very time consuming process."
Zehnder said they will continue their movement on the sidewalks of the State Capitol for now.
The city attorney said Raleigh has spent $61,000 on protection and security since the movement started last month.
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