Splinter Occupy group quickly evicted

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Mayor Byron Brown gave the order to evict occupiers in Lafayette Square Wednesday night, and police followed through. We were there as police moved in.

Buffalo Police and a city public works crew moved in to evict protesters and remove their tents and tables from Lafayette Square. The demonstrators, who separated from Occupy Buffalo, had illegally set up camp, violating an agreement with the city to limit their occupation to Niagara Square.

"In Lafayette Square there was no agreement. There was no permission, and I indicated from the beginning that we would enforce the law," said Mayor Brown.

Chris Phillips, one of the more vocal protesters, made some noise, telling police they were stealing, adding, "I want my computer right now."

But it was his girlfriend, Christina Cooke, a senior majoring in Fine Arts at Buffalo State College, who was arrested for failing to leave the Square. She can have the charges dismissed if she stays out of trouble.

"I can't go back in that square. I got to stay out of trouble, but other than that, like, I didn't really get into trouble to begin with, so I don't think that that would be a problem," argued Cooke.

The splinter move to Lafayette Square was a problem for Occupy Buffalo, whose General Assembly has now "revoked any affiliation" with Chris Phillips, saying his actions have "endangered the security and stability of the Occupy movement in Buffalo."

Albert Brown of Occupy Buffalo said, "I think it's a distraction. I think it's diversionary, and I think it's unnecessary."

So, despite a slight increase in the number of reported complaints about the occupiers who remain in Niagara Square, the movement continues its solid relationship with the city, which is receiving high praise from the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Spokesman John Curr, III said, "A government that completely understands the right of the citizens to redress their grievances in a non-violent peaceful fashion, and respects it enough to come to an agreement that protects that."

Chris Phillips is banned from attending any Occupy Buffalo meetings of its General Assembly. One Occupy spokesman said that could change if Phillips is willing to convince members that he has changed and is willing to accept any consensus reached by the General Assembly.