Thirty-two Occupy Rochester protesters were arrested by the Rochester Police Department at they attempted to occupy Washington Square Park downtown on Friday night, October 28th. Rochester Mayor Tom Richards had directed the Rochester Police Department to arrest anyone who remained in the park beyond its 11 pm closing time.



1199SEIU, along with the Rochester Labor Council, condemned the arrest of the peaceful protestors. 1199 Vice President Ricky Elliot said, “The Mayor of the City of Rochester was wrong to order these arrests. The protestors, while peacefully gathering as they have in dozens of cities across the country, have had their first amendment rights violated by these unprovoked arrests.” Elliot appeared at Rochester City Court Saturday morning to support and talk with the protestors as they were arraigned and released.



Like other Occupy movements across the country, Occupy Rochester has organized many demonstrations and community actions highlighting the inequalities and criminality that occur daily in our global, national and local financial systems. The We Are One Coalition, which is composed of 1199SEIU, local labor, community groups, and allied organizations, has been supportive of the Occupy Rochester. 1199 members have taken part in many of its public events, and work in solidarity to raise community awareness about the movement.



After 1199 and the rest of the Rochester labor movement condemned the arrests, the mayor has asked for a meeting with Occupy Rochester. Among those arrested in Rochester were members of local labor unions, community groups and the former President of the Rochester Board of Education.