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Albany, NY – City officials want a state court to handle Occupy Albany's lawsuit over its park eviction, and are also asking for the protest movement to pay city legal fees. More from WAMC's Dave Lucas...
In federal court papers, attorneys for the city say the two-month encampment in Albany's Academy Park was removed December 22 under a state judge's order because of ongoing health and safety code violations.
They argue there was no reasonable basis for moving the case to federal court and therefore the judge should order the protesters to pay the city's expenses.
Volunteer lawyers for the demonstrators, who claim reform is needed in government that favors the rich, filed papers in federal court arguing the eviction violates their constitutional rights to free speech.
Members now meet and organize from a rented storefront.
Dave Lucas, WAMC News.
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