Occupy Tampa shifts gear

Occupy Tampa demonstrators may have been getting a bit too settled at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with their around-the-clock protest against corporate greed, war and politics.

During the past two days, a couple of canopies were set up there, and that tested the edgy relationship between demonstrators and police.

On Friday morning, police told protesters to take down canopies and tables and move coolers that blocked a portion of the sidewalk along Ashley Drive.

"That's like setting up a camp in a public park," said police spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

The demonstrators complied, grudgingly dismantling the canopies and folding up the tables. They stuffed the gear into cars, which drove off. In turn, they were allowed to remain on the site, free to voice their views.

There have been no arrests in Occupy Tampa's occupation of downtown, which has been going on for two weeks.

"We are the only city in the United States where there has been no confrontation or arrest of an Occupy protester," McElroy said. "If you're a peaceful protester, our job is to make sure you have a safe environment so your voices can be heard."

The relationship began on an amicable note a couple of weeks ago when 600 protesters swarmed into Lykes Gaslight Square, across from Tampa police headquarters. It was a peaceful crowd, so officers allowed them to cool off in the department's spacious lobby and use the restrooms.

Then a few days ago, police asked the demonstrators to move their protest to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, where the sidewalk is wide and less likely to be blocked. The two sides continued to be chummy.

Friday's order to take down the canopies moved the relationship into a bickering mumble stage.

Joseph Jay, a 24-year-old student at Hillsborough Community College, said the order on Friday morning was an "intimidation tactic."

"They told us previously on the record that we were fine here as long as we did not block the sidewalk," Jay said of Tampa police. "Now they say we are violating a city code."

Social media such as Facebook and Twitter were blaring Friday morning that the Occupy Tampa protesters were being disbanded by police, but that was not the case.

The demonstrators continued to wave signs and hand out leaflets as police watched.

On Friday, workers were preparing the sloping riverfront park for today's Bluz & BBQ festival, at which thousands are expected to partake in food, refreshments and about 12 hours of music.

Bill Sharpe, president of the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the event, was there Friday making last minute arrangements. The protesters don't bother him one bit, he said. They are welcome to attend the event.

"They're young folks, students," Sharpe said. "I don't have a problem with them. I think some people have the wrong attitude."

Nodding toward the protesters, he said, "They are American citizens, too.

"We all have a right to voice our opinions."