Occupy Cincinnati marks free speech zone

CINCINNATI - Occupy Cincinnati protesters are gathering at Piatt Park and Garfield Place downtown Monday evening as they celebrate the establishment of a 24/7 demonstration and free speech space.

The open demonstration area within 100 square feet of the Garfield statue was created as part of legal settlement between the City of Cincinnati and the Occupy Cincinnati. It included dropping 300 criminal charges against protesters for not leaving the park at closing time last fall.

The group intends started its demonstration at 6 p.m. Monday to celebrate what's it's calling Re-Occupy Free Speech Day.

Occupy Cincinnati says it wants to exercise its First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.

The group will hold a General Assembly which includes speakers from various Occupy support groups like Move to Amend, Union Bethel, The National Organization for Women, 350 Ohio, Food Not Bombs and SPAN, Single Payer Action Network.

Speakers and music will continue at Piatt Park through 10 p.m., when Occupy Cincinnati holds what it is calling a Soapbox for free speech.

The settlement agreement does not allow Occupy Cincinnati or any group to put up camping tents or other structures in the park. All standard Cincinnati park rules will apply to any demonstrations or rallies at Piatt Park, as they would for any visitors to any Cincinnati public parks.

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Occupy Cincinnati marks free speech zone