MONTREAL - City officials have issued a warning to protesters at the Occupy Montreal site: tear down several wooden structures, or leave for good.
Activists at the Victoria Square tent city voted to take down the structures Wednesday evening after discussing their options at a general assembly meeting.
The decision comes after the Occupy Wall Street camp was torn apart in New York City early Tuesday morning, and many of the camps across Canada have been dismantled, diminished or abandoned.
Prostesters in Montreal have stayed put and are working in cooperation with the city of Montreal to remain on the site.
Activist Paul Bode, however, said the city's position isn't clear to them.
"The city has really been flip-flopping on what their position is on it. They've only really clarified their position last week, but we started construction a month ago," said Bode.
Four structures have been dismantled by the Montreal fire department after they were deemed a fire hazard. The city is demanding 14 more be removed from Victoria Square by Sunday.
While fire hazards are a concern, another worry is that temporary structures could collapse under a heavy snowfall.
Any structures with vertical wooden beams have been ordered to be taken down.
The city's demand bothers some activists, like Jean-Rene Scott.
"They are trying to find a reason to dismantle some of our common spaces," he said.
The group says it will agree to take down the structures if the city of Montreal agrees in writing to allow them to stay at least through the winter.
The dropping temperatures are a growing concern, however. The tents here now aren't winter-hardy and the protesters are not permitted to heat with open fires.
Activists say they're looking into other solutions.
"A prospector tent is used by lumberjacks out in the Canadian bush. It's very thickly insulated," said Bode.
