Occupy Ottawa dwindles in face of eviction threat

Occupy Ottawa's remaining campers have set up inside a fountain at Confederation Park Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.

Day 39 of the Occupy Ottawa protest was a unique and uncertain one, as many protesters left in the face of an eviction by police that could come at any time.

About 12 people were still at the park Tuesday afternoon, moving their tents and wood palettes inside a fountain near the Elgin Street entrance.

"We're preparing for winter because we are very serious about what we're doing," said Roufa Therrien. "I think the amount of donations, the number of people who go like this when they pass through the camp has not diminished at all."

"I'm against corporate greed," said Myriah Graham. "I'm all for taking care of your neighbourhood and growing food, local food, everywhere."

A large crowd had gathered at the park in advance of the 11:59 p.m. Monday deadline that had been given by the NCC, with many journalists and people with cameras scattered throughout.

Protesters said there were a lot of people there to see the deadline pass "in hopes they'd get a show," after some Occupy evictions turned violent in California.

However, besides reports of RCMP officers going to check the scene around 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, police did not enter the park en masse during the night and the crowd gradually dispersed.

"There's no time frame as of yet," said Const. Mike Soucy of the Ottawa police. "We're still evaluating. Going hour by hour. We're taking the pulse of what's going on there at the park and also what's going on in other cities."

Occupy Toronto has remained in Queen's Park despite a court order to leave, with Occupy camps in Victoria and Quebec City dismantled by authorities overnight.

A general assembly planned for 4:00 p.m. at Confederation Park, where they've been since Oct. 15., was pushed back to 6:30 p.m.

CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley said rumours the protesters would move across the street to First Baptist Church were untrue, as the church said they didn't want them camping there.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley and files from The Canadian Press