Injunction hearing on Occupy Youngstown postponed

Injunction hearing on Occupy Youngstown postponed

YOUNGSTOWN

A preliminary-injunction hearing for Occupy Youngstown to be permitted to use a tent, burn barrel and other items at their protest location in the city’s Central Square was postponed today.

Kim Akins, the group’s attorney, sought the postponement because she is ill. The hearing is rescheduled for Dec. 9 in front of Magistrate Timothy G. Welsh of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Welsh rejected a Nov. 16 request by the group for a temporary restraining order to permit the use of a tent, burn barrel and other items. But he agreed to hear arguments for a preliminary injunction to consider the group’s request.

The group contends the city violated the rights of Occupy Youngstown members to free speech and assembly as well as to protection against unreasonable seizure of their possessions. City officials say the group can protest, but not establish an encampment downtown.