Occupiers given ultimatum on Lafayette

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - City Hall says a second Occupy Buffalo encampment was not part of the deal, but a splinter group of Occupiers is determined to face arrest if police tries an eviction from Lafayette Square.

Buffalo has given these protesters an ultimatum: they must abandon Lafayette Square .

Occupier Chris Phillips said, "We believe, and we feel, that we have as much of a right to Lafayette Square as Occupy Buffalo has to Niagara Square."

But they don't, according to the signed agreement between Occupy Buffalo and the City.

Mayor Byron Brown said, "We remain committed to the principles of free speech in this country. We support that. But the agreement calls for Niagara Square."

City leaders are concerned enough about Lafayette Square that they called a meeting with the Occupiers Monday.

Robert Albini, one of the protesters in Niagara Square, tells News 4 all sides agreed to abide by the contract.

"Occupy Buffalo stands in line with the agreement that we've negotiated with City Hall. We will continue to occupy Niagara Square. We move by consensus-based decision making, and that means that everybody's voice can be heard and expressed," added Robert Albini.

Phillips said, "They talk about consensus, but they don't really work very hard to arrive at it."

Councilmember Rich Fontana has asked Buffalo Police to enforce the agreement, and remove any remaining protesters from Lafayette Square at ten o'clock Tuesday night.

Common Council Majority Leader, Rich Fontana said, "Don't go there with the intention to arrest, but if they start to resist and don't move, and don't get out of the park, then you do arrest them."

"Some of those Occupiers in Lafayette Square did come and sit in our General Assembly, and the ones that did sit have brought their stuff back," added Albini.