Another Building Takeover, This Time In Carrboro

CARRBORO-Protestors occupied the site of a proposed CVS at the corner of Weaver and North Greensboro Streets Saturday afternoon, but dispersed peacefully after talking with Mayor Mark Chilton for several hours.

 "They have illegally taken over somebody's building," says Carrboro Alderwoman Jacqui Gist, who was on the scene. "I would guess if the owners of the building say they're trespassing, they police will need to get them out. I'm a strong supporter of Occupy, and I think this kind of action really undermines the Occupy Movement."

The event began early in the afternoon on Saturday, when several of the protestors, who collectively identify themselves as the "Carrboro Commune" set up encampment in front of the building. The protest itself began around 4 p.m. and initially involved about 10 Carrboro Commune members in black clothing and facemasks.

The structure is the site of a controversial proposed CVS development that’s up for approval by the Board of Aldermen later this spring. Many of those gathered said they were dismayed at the prospect of a corporate entity developing such a high-profile piece of real estate in the heart of downtown Carrboro. In a press release, the Carrboro Commune members indicate that Saturday's protest was meant to be the start of a permanent demonstration.

One of the protestors, who asked to be identified only as Ezra, says although the event was not specifically affiliated with Occupy Chapel Hill-Carrboro, it was in the group’s spirit.

"It's just to represent our disgust with capitalism," he says.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton was on the scene and entered the building around 5:30 p.m., declaring he would not leave until all of the protestors had vacated the premises. Around 7 p.m., he asked the protestors to leave the building. The group left peacefully, but a heated argument between the two parties took place on a nearby sidewalk. The group broke up around 7:30 p.m.

As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, elected officials outnumbered police presence at the scene. Around the time of the confrontation, about a dozen police were at the scene, but the incident attracted considerably less police activity than a similar scenario in November at the former Yates Building.

WCHL will have more on this story as it develops.

***Listen to comments from Alderwoman Jacqui Gist.***

***Here is the press release about this event from the Carrboro Commune***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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“CARRBORO COMMUNE” OCCUPIES DOWNTOWN BUILDING

CARRBORO: Today, local residents have occupied a building at 201 North
Greensboro Street.  The occupiers, who are separate from the group Occupy
Chapel Hill, say the action is “not a temporary protest, but a permanent
occupation intended to establish a social center in the heart of
Carrboro.”

The retail giant CVS, which recently purchased the building from Weaver
Street Market, has faced near-unanimous opposition from neighbors to their
attempts to build a 24-hour drug store on the site.  According to a
pamphlet distributed at the Greensboro Street site today, the occupiers
believe that Carrboro residents “should have direct decision-making power
over the resources of our neighborhoods and workplaces, rather than live
at the mercy of speculating absentee landlords, out-of-state drug
corporations, or town bureaucrats and politicians.”

The occupiers plan to remain indefinitely, and have invited local
residents to participate in an open assembly on Sunday, February 5th to
discuss future plans for the building.  Other activities scheduled for the
occupied building and grounds include free meals, planting community
gardens, and workshops to share skills on a variety of topics.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill neighbors are invited to come participate in
reclaiming community resources for the benefit of all, not simply
corporate profit.

More information and ongoing updates can be found on Twitter at
@carrborocommune or at www.trianarchy.wordpress.com.

***Here is the press release from the town of Carrboro regarding the incident.***
On the evening of February 4th, 2012, Carrboro Police Department officers responded to a break in and trespassing incident at 201 North Greensboro Street in Carrboro. Members of the “Nomadic Occupy” group gained entry and attempted to take possession of the private property there. Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton engaged the protestors in conversation and asked those present to leave peacefully. Protestors were asked a second time by CPD personnel to vacate the premises. Mayor Chilton continued to engage in dialogue with the protestors outside the building, after which the protestors left the private property and returned to public space. The building was secured by CPD personnel without further incident.
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