Occupy Miami Movement Leaves Government Center

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – People taking part in the Occupy Miami protest on the west lawn of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center were given until sunset Tuesday to leave the area or face arrest.

Several protesters were still on the lawn after the sun went down.

"I think they're in violation of our rights as American citizens to protest. I think we have the right to do this," protester Carol Patman told CBS4's Maggie Newland.

Officers threatened immediate arrested to those who resisted.

"Yes, it is it's worth being arrested," said one defiant protester.

Miami-Dade police officers in riot gear were able to eventually disperse the crowd. Only three arrests were made.

According to the Occupy Miami release, their eviction from the site comes three days after the county denied a permit to stay where they were because of "current site conditions and unsafe activities."

"Enough is enough in reference to their mission to occupy Miami and their statement," said Edward Harris, director of special projects for community relations board of Miami-Dade County. "We feel it's unsafe in reference to safety and health issues. It's just been no movement. It's turned into something else than it originally was."

Members of the Homeless Trust had been on hand all day Tuesday giving out helping those who need assistance find housing.

Miami-Dade Police said there have been four police officers guarding the camp around the clock since the encampment began.

The Occupy Miami encampment has been at the government center since the middle of last October. In November, they temporarily moved so workers could install emergency equipment on the building.

Nevertheless, protesters in the movement say it's over.

"We're going to set up a new camp," said Wate. "They're not going to stop us. They can tell us to leave from here, but it does not mean the movement is going to be dismantled."

As for where the occupy Miami protesters may be headed, they told CBS4's Tiffani Helberg Tuesday they will regroup after being evicted and build a new camp in a public park on Star Island.