Judge to decide fate of Occupy Toronto camp today

Judge to decide fate of Occupy Toronto camp today

Occupy Toronto's camp is pictured in St. James Park in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Occupy Toronto protesters will learn Monday whether their month-old encampment of a city park can continue or if they will be forced to pack it in.
After hearing arguments in court last Friday, a judge will decide the fate of the occupation of St. James Park by siding with the protesters or the city, which issued an eviction notice last week.
The decision is expected to be released at about 9 a.m.
A handful of demonstrators who challenged the order in court are seeking an injunction, arguing their right to protest and their freedom of expression trump the bylaw in which the eviction order was issued.
The protesters have been allowed to stay in the park as Justice David Brown mulls his decision, although he put a ban on new structures when he granted an interim injunction last week.
Since city bylaw officers handed out eviction notices last Tuesday, some protesters have told reporters they won't leave the park if the judge rules against them, setting up a potential clash with police and public officials.
Since Oct. 15, protesters have been camped in the park as part of a global campaign against social inequality and corporations, in addition to a host of other causes and issues, depending on which member you ask.
Protesters have been sharply criticized for the campaign itself and for widening the focus of their protest. Members have been hit with insults and accused of using the movement as an excuse to squat in the park because some of those who are camped out are unemployed and homeless.
The judge's decision is being released as the worldwide Occupy movement is facing its biggest test yet. Eviction notices have been handed out in several cities, including New York City, where protesters aren't allowed to set up camps in Zuccotti Park, the place where the movement began two months ago before spreading around the globe.
In Canada, eviction notices have been handed out in Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary, while camps have been dismantled in Regina, Saskatoon and Halifax.
Participants are vowing to continue the campaign, with or without camps in public spaces.