3 arrested when police break up Occupy BG camp

Police clear out the Bowling Green Community Commons area early Monday morning. FACEBOOK Enlarge

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- Three people were arrested early Monday after Bowling Green police evicted those camping out with the Occupy Bowling Green movement.

Taylor Johnson, 21, of Bowling Green; Gilbert Bentley, Jr., 21, of Holland; and Joshua Chamberland, 18, of Milford, Ohio, were charged with obstructing official business.

Mr. Chamberland also was charged with resisting arrest, according to Bowling Green police.

Authorities said police went to the Bowling Green Community Commons off of East Wooster Street about 5 a.m. to remove an unauthorized camp, which was set up by the movement participants about six weeks ago.

Authorities say the group impeded small businesses in the area and that police were called to the camp on “several occasions” for disrupting and trespassing complaints.

Police say the occupiers were in violation of the city ordinance, which states that sidewalks and other public-access areas should be kept clear.

On Nov. 29 at about 2:30 p.m., police say they put notices on light posts and in empty tents that campers should remove their property by noon on Dec. 1.

“Occupy BG participants chose to ignore the lawful order, instead opting to challenge authorities, threatening to use force to resist lawful order,” police stated in a news release.

Monday morning, a police supervisor read an order from the mayor instructing people to take their property and leave the common area. Those who did not were arrested. They are being held in the Wood County jail and are scheduled to appear for video arraignment in Bowling Green Municipal Court Monday.

According to the Occupy Bowling Green Facebook page, the group has scheduled an “emergency meeting” at noon.