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Protesters remain in Bronson Park after being ordered to leave

When the city's deadline hit on Tuesday, police did not arrest any protesters who were camping in Bronson Park.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - On Tuesday at 7 p.m. all protesters who have been living in tents in Bronson Park were given warning they had to leave or be subject to arrest.

But at 7 p.m. police did not show up and start arresting the one hundred or so people who decided to stay.

The group of homeless protesters have been camping out in the park since August as a way to protest the unsafe living conditions where they used to reside at Kalamazoo's Mission Shelter.

After negotiating with the city, the group failed to reach an agreement. The city of Kalamazoo announced on Monday evening that all protesters had less than 24 hours to vacate the park.

The Kalamazoo City Manager, Jim Ritsema cited ordinances which say camping in any park is prohibited without permission. And the government was not going to grant the group a permit.

Tuesday's deadline was met with resistance, but despite threats from the city, no protests were made in the first few hours. A few officers arrived at the park, but they didn't arrest any one.

"I'm not surprised that no one's been arrest because this is a major situation," said one man at the park. "If we fall to our own fear and choose to abandon the site then there's no force."

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