[UPDATED x4] 11/09/11 ARRESTS MADE AT TRANQUILITY PARK

11/09/11 OCCUPY HOUSTON BUSTED BY COPS
ARRESTS MADE AT TRANQUILITY PARK

Information is coming out quickly: 9 arrested, 3 released. 1 (Steven) arrested for jaywalking. Many arrested for being under tarps supported by tables. Watch it live as it unfolds at

* http://www.livestream.com/occupyhouston

Also, follow updates on our Twitter
* https://twitter.com/#!/OccupyHouston

Information is also being posted to Facebook:
* https://facebook.com/OccupyHouston

UPDATE: We have a rough timeline of the situation available. All times are approximate.

• 8:30pm: Approximately three Houston police officers approached Shaun, a sustainability and peacekeeping volunteer, calling his tarp a structure in violation of city ordinance. The previous night HPD advised us on how to put up a tarp and not violate ordinances, so Shaun refused and stayed with other Occupy Houston members under the tarp.
• 9:30pm: Approximately 13 HPD officers are present at Tranqility park.
• 10:00pm: Approximately 18 HPD officers are present at Tranquility park.
• 11:00pm: Approximately 27 HPD officers in approximately 19 squad cars arrest seven members of Occupy Houston. Some had to be carried away.

HPD officers were in communication with Burke, a councilor working with Occupy Houston, advising on how to remove the tarp and items under the tarp, and how to avoid arrest. Shortly after Occupy Houston members were arrested Burke and his wife were seized then arrested by HPD officers for jaywalking. An HPD squad car was blocking the crosswalk at the intersection of Bagby St. and Walker St. at the time.

A majority of HPD offricers refused contact with Occupy Houston members requesting officer name, and badge numbers.

Those awaiting arrest used the people’s microphone to recite Amendments one through fourteen of the U.S. Constitution and HPD’s mission statement.

UPDATE 2: Houston police officers have confiscated the following items from Occupy Houston:

• One trash can
• One table
• Two tarps
• Three chairs
• One blanket
• One storage barrel

UPDATE 3: We’re uploading video and pictures of the event as we get them:

The “tent” that started it all	HPD speaking with Shaun prior to arrest
HPD gathering	HPD gathering

UPDATE 4: We have the names of those arrested:

• Shaun
• Chris
• Erick
• Amanda
• Rico
• Matthew
• Remmington