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.

One of the protestors, who asked to be identified only as Ezra, said although the event was not specifically affiliated with Occupy Chapel Hill-Carrboro, it was in a similar vein.

“Today we are taking a building that has been vacant for several years, soon to be CVS, in the spirit of Occupy, to represent our disgust and disillusionment with capitalism,” he said, speaking through a kerchief that covered his lower face.

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.

“CVS doesn’t care what the community wanted,” said Maria Rowan, who acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the protesters. “It doesn’t care about livable communities, it doesn’t care about downtown, it doesn’t care about people.”

The occupation began around 3:00 pm Saturday, when protesters set up signs and banners in front of the building at 201 North Greensboro. About 30 people in black clothing and facemasks moved in and out of the building, dancing, singing and drumming on the lawn.

Shortly after 5 pm, Mayor Mark Chilton offered to negotiate with the protesters. He spent several hours inside the building in discussion with the group. At one point, protesters demanded vegan ice cream, which was offered by Carrboro Alderwoman Jacquie Gist, but only on the condition that they vacate the building. Similarly, Carrboro police prevented a delivery driver from delivering several pizzas that the protesters had ordered, but neither enticement was enough to sway the protesters. 

Around 7 p.m., Chilton officially asked the Occupiers to leave the building. About half a dozen Carrboro police officers then entered the building, telling protesters they risked arrest if they did not leave immediately.

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The group left peacefully, but continued to voice their dissatisfactions on the sidewalk outside. Police secured the vacant building, but made no move to intervene in the heated debate, which pitted angry anarchists against neighbors who oppose CVS, but who also opposed the tactics of the occupation.

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In the end, the crowd dispersed, with some protesters returning to a Nomadic Occupy encampment across the street.

The events on North Greensboro come in stark contrast to the similar occupation of the Yates Motor Company building on Franklin Street last November, which ended when Chapel Hill police deployed a SWAT team to oust protesters.

In an impromptu press conference Saturday night, Interim Carrboro Town Manager Matt Efird said lessons were learned from that event that informed the decisions of Carrboro town leaders and police.

“Our officers made sure they stuck to the policies,” said Efird. “They communicated openly with the protesters, they maintained a peaceful demeanor. We stuck to the core values of our community.”

Alderwoman Jacquie Gist, who was on hand for the entire occupation, said she was extremely proud of how the event was resolved.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my town, especially our mayor and police chief. It was text book. It was beautiful,” said Gist.

Mayor Mark Chilton departed the scene quietly, without making a statement to the press. There were no arrests or charges stemming from the incident. Protesters say they will hold a 4 p.m. general assembly outside the building on Sunday to discuss what happened and what’s next for the movement.