City denies Occupy Philly permit applications

The city rejected two Occupy Philly permit applications for the Municipal Services Building’s Thomas Paine Plaza this evening.

Representatives from the group’s legal collective, as well as members of the breakaway faction Reasonable Solutions Committee, met with the city around 6 p.m. and were told that neither of their permit applications were acceptable because their demonstrations would have “an unduly adverse impact on public health.”

According to a member of Occupy’s legal collective, the city came prepared with their own permit draft that they advised participants to sign. The city’s version reportedly allows occupation of Thomas Paine Plaza on the condition that it would have 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours and would not include tents, generators, warming stations or other equipment.

Occupiers would also be required to reimburse the city for water and electricity use, as well as the employment of sanitation and public safety workers.

The city said that the permit would be issued on a first come, first serve basis to either the legal collective or Reasonable Solutions Committee, said the member. However, the two groups could also sign the permit jointly, if they are able to come to an agreement regarding its terms.

In related news, the city reportedly said that it will allow Occupy Philly to remain at City Hall through Thanksgiving and give the tent city 48 hours notice before eviction.