Seattle Police threatened to arrest protesters in Westlake Park last night, and according to a KIRO report shined patrol car lights on the protesters who defied the 10 0'clock park curfew. The SPD did not make any arrests. We are trying to get a statement from the police.

The AP also reports that the SPD escorted city Parks Department crews who "cleaned up" the park.

Mayor Mike McGinn, who gave a left wing speech to about 200 demonstrators yesterday afternoon, issued a statement this morning saying he wants the protesters to move to city hall, something "99 Percenters"—as the Occupy Wall Street movement calls itself—has so far turned down.



McGinn says City Hall Plaza is the appropriate venue for an ongoing protest.

Here's McGinn's statement this morning:

The Parks Department and the Seattle Police were under instructions last night to inform people of the rules that apply to Westlake Park, but to not make arrests for camping at this time. The rule prohibiting camping in parks is a long-standing provision of the Seattle Municipal Code, which has previously been communicated to event participants. We continue to make City Hall available, which is an appropriate facility for camping associated with protests.

We have been patient with Occupy Seattle because we have been giving event participants the opportunity to respond to our offer of City Hall. We also wanted to ensure public safety for the large scale free speech activities planned for the long weekend.

This is consistent with our approach from the first day. We wish to support valid free speech activities, while working to bring Occupy Seattle into compliance with applicable city rules and regulations. Those efforts will continue. The Mayor's Office and other city representatives are communicating with participants in the Occupy Seattle protests with the goal of resolving these issues.