Occupy Cedar Rapids claims to have a solid winter space

CEDAR RAPIDS - With discussion of  some Occupy movements running out of gas, Cedar Rapids occupiers claim to be stronger, especially since the city filed a notice for the group to remove themselves from their first camp on Nov. 21, which is a city owned lot.

After moving nightly meetings from Greene Square Park earlier in the fall, to a small camp at the corner of M Avenue and First Street NW in November, the occupation has shifted again. It's now located less than a block away, where  approximately 20 members remain active on a rotating basis at the Carriage House, member Greg Vail said.

"The camp changes and moves all the time," Vail said, citing the idea of the movement as  a series of "spontaneous events."

The house is heated thanks to a wood burner, allowing enough warmth where at least four or five spend the night every night, Vail explained, adding that a handful of others rotate in and out.

Jason Wade, also with the movement, said their supporters rallied when they received the eviction notice from the city, with more committing to the occupation.

Today, one half is occupying the space and the other half attends general assembly meetings and participates in what Vail calls "functioning action events," he said.

Some demonstrators associated with the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids occupations were observed protesting such an event Wednesday, where presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich was interrupted while delivering a speech on the University of Iowa campus.

Vail said he wonders if the city is re-considering their motion for dismissal of the occupiers' complaint arguing their original camp was technically purchased through FEMA funds after the flood, which they consider "greenway" space.

According to Cassie Willis, communications liaison for the city, no further action has unfolded in the civil case; the City Attorney's office is still waiting for the federal court to decide what to do next.