PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Occupy Providence is proposing a march to the Statehouse to promote housing and homeless issues that would end with protesters temporarily pitching tents on the Capitol grounds.
Activist Michael McCarthy said Monday that the proposed Dec. 10 action -- in coordination with other community groups -- would include a rally, march and a push for legislation to boost funding for the homeless and give more legal rights to those whose homes have been foreclosed upon.
Activists would then set up tents at the Statehouse in what McCarthy called a "highly symbolic" move.
"Everybody's invited to stay," he told The Associated Press.
Anywhere from a few dozen people to hundreds could camp out for at least a night, McCarthy said. But he added that he hopes the larger rally will attract at least as many people as attended a march through Providence on Oct. 15. Well over 1,000 people took part in that event.
The Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project and Direct Action for Rights and Equality would also take part in the December housing and homeless rally. A co-founder of the advocacy project helped organize a tent city of the homeless in Providence in 2009 that became the subject of a legal dispute that is still playing out.
Occupy activists will discuss the proposal for the proposed action during their Tuesday evening General Assembly meeting. McCarthy said there is no plan to relocate the Burnside Park encampment to the Capitol grounds, though the city has ordered the protesters to leave.
Rhode Island Capitol Police Chief Joseph Little said Monday a planned rally on the Statehouse grounds would require a permit.
Occupy activists do not intend to seek one.
