Cedar Rapids Occupation starts tonight

CEDAR RAPIDS  - Occupy Cedar Rapids announced Saturday they would begin their occupation at First Street and M Avenue NW beginning at 5 p.m.

Occupy member Greg Vail, registered agent with civil rights group People's Support, said 20 have committed, perhaps more. Occupy Iowa City members are bringing tents out to join them for a few nights.

According to a news release, the property has been selected because it's city-owned land purchased with tax dollars.

The message the group wants to send is about the misuse of flood recovery funds instead of rebuilding lots that have remained empty, they said.

People's Support will be outfitting occupiers with a bathroom, electricity, and cooking space from a house adjacent to the occupation site, Vail said.

Vail said in an e-mail that they're not expecting problems since they intend on a peaceful occupation.

However, they said they have enlisted the help of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City attorneys, and someone is also willing to post bails if need be.

He wrote they're just "civil citizens getting the word out about local problems."