Early this morning, protesters claimed victory as it was announced that the cleanup of Zuccotti Park would be postponed.
So an anticipated clash between Occupy Wall Street protesters and the NYPD didn’t happen.
The decision to postpone the cleaning was made by Brookfield Properties, which owns the park, but was announced at about 6:30 a.m. today by protesters. The decision was viewed as a victory by protesters, who reportedly roared with cheering when it was announced.
Many viewed the mandated cleanup, after which sleeping bags, tents and tarps would not be allowed back into the park, as merely to a pretext to evict the demonstrators. Brookfield says the park is unsafe and unsanitary in its current condition, and they wanted to powerwash the park by sections.
Thousands had reportedly amassed at Zuccotti Park to fight the expected removal of protesters by police for the cleaning. The owners of Brookfield Properties have reportedly said they want to negotiate with protesters.
Below is a statement from Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway on the decision made by Brookfield Properties to postpone park cleaning.