The “Occupy Wall Street” protest that has paralyzed streets in New York and elsewhere around the U.S. has gained momentum here in Albuquerque.

Protestors camped out at UNM on Monday night at what they called “Camp Coyote” at University and Central.

The 20 to 30 protestors who have spent the night since Saturday are only breaking student conduct code, not the law.

They say they are against corporate greed, bank bailouts and bad employers.

“There were rumors that we were going to have to leave and vacate the UNM premises but unofficially we did get word from one of the executive vice presidents at UNM and also one of the heads of UNM PD that we can stay for right now,” one protestor told us.

Protesters have tied up tarps to Ponderosa Pines brought down from the Sandia Mountains by the UNM’s president in the early 1900’s.

In order to stay dry, the protesters have also covered up sprinklers with buckets.

“I don’t like that they’re damaging the landscape that our student fees go to…I have no problem with them protesting,” said UNM graduate student, Elliott Leonard.

For KOB, the university had this official statement:

“The university supports free expression, but has health and safety concerns about the impact of the protest on this historic landscape.”

UNM officials are still unaware how they want to respond to the situation.

It appears no one wants to make a decision to let the protestors stay or force them to evacuate the premises.
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Source: KOB TV

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