Tents are not allowed in front of Bank of America, and the protesters could not sleep within 25 feet of the entrance or within 35 feet of ATM. Sleep was difficult; a cleaning crew had an adjustable scaffolding polishing steel around midnight. Meanwhile, a few blocks away, in McPherson, occupiers provided information from an Information Booth.
McPherson Square appears to be an encampment, but tents cannot be used to store belongings. Signs explained that people and pets are not allowed to sleep in any of the tents.
Occupy The Stage had been traveling with SGT Tentmonster and erected him in McPherson.
On April 19, Occupy The Stage joined Occupy DC to protest at a bankers’ meeting in front of The Hyatt.
They also visited the new occupied Bank of America branch is on 11th and Pennsylvania.
On Saturday morning of April 21, Occupy The Stage participated in a protest “Resist The IMF” that began in McPherson and marched to Pennsylvania Avenue and 19th Street. At 20th Street, police and secret service outnumbered protesters and issued a dispersal order. The protesters, using banners and cords to block the streets, were pushed to 20th street where two women were arrested and one of them was hospitalized.
@small_affair livestreamed the two arrests and her footage can be seen here: http://bambuser.com/v/2574131
After leaving Washington DC, Occupy The Stage met with members of Occupy Charlotte and Occupy Birmingham and slept in front of Regents bank at Birmingham’s sleepful protest.
In the morning they expressed solidarity via Chalkupy (drawing Occupy related messages on sidewalk).
Occupy The Stage returned home to New Orleans in time for the General Assembly on Tuesday.