
{"id":23643,"date":"2012-02-09T10:40:02","date_gmt":"2012-02-09T15:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/?p=23643"},"modified":"2012-02-08T17:59:48","modified_gmt":"2012-02-08T22:59:48","slug":"proposed-cvs-site-occupied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed CVS site occupied"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_23653\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23653\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupationfront_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23653\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"OccupationFront_web\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web-113x75.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web-100x66.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/OccupationFront_web-360x239.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23653\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A group of protesters identifying themselves as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carrboro Commune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d occupied the building at 201 N. Greensboro St. on Saturday afternoon. The group left the building a few hours after the start of the demonstration, after police told them they would be arrested if they did not do so.  Photo by Duncan Hoge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><br \/>\nDemonstration ends peacefully<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>By Susan Dickson<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Staff Writer<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Following the Saturday afternoon occupation of the building at 201 N. Greensboro St., members of a group identifying themselves as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carrboro Commune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d are planning another demonstration at the property, while elected officials, police and other community members reflect on the events, which ended relatively peacefully, with no arrests. <\/p>\n<p>Following a march down West Weaver Street, a group of masked protesters occupied the building around 3 p.m. Saturday, handing out fliers stating that the occupation was \u00e2\u20ac\u0153not a temporary protest, but a permanent occupation intended to establish a social center in the heart of Carrboro, instead of the CVS that would have been here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23652\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23652\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation8_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation8_web\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web-113x84.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation8_web-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23652\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Demonstrators march down West Weaver Street before the occupation.  Photo by Robert Dickson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The building, which previously housed the WCOM radio station and Community Realty, was sold by Weaver Street Market to Revco, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark, in 2010. CVS has proposed a two-story development on the property, including a CVS on the ground floor, which will be considered by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen this spring. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What went down<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During Saturday\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s demonstration, the doors to the empty building were standing open, but none among several of the occupiers questioned would or could say how entry to the building was gained. Inside the building, banners reading \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Occupy Everything\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Capitalism Values Suffering\u00e2\u20ac\u009d had been hung, and the words \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carrboro Commune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and an anarchist symbol had been painted on the wall. About 20 people were inside the building. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23650\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23650\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation5_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23650\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation5_web\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web-113x75.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web-100x66.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation5_web-360x239.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23650\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mayor Mark Chilton consults with Carrboro police Officer T. Kennedy (left) and Officer T. Coyle on how to handle the situation.  Photo by Duncan Hoge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Carrboro police and Mayor Mark Chilton were on the scene within an hour of the occupation. Chilton entered the building with police and asked the protesters to leave. They refused.<br \/>\nMeanwhile, police prevented a Domino\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Pizza deliveryman from delivering a pizza that demonstrators had apparently ordered. Protesters responded with cries of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Free the pizza!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Police also confiscated a generator that had been brought to power the building.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23649\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23649\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation4_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23649\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation4_web\" width=\"450\" height=\"344\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web-113x86.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web-147x113.jpg 147w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web-100x76.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation4_web-360x275.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23649\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Masked occupiers prepare to start a generator at the CVS building in Carrboro. The generator was removed a few minutes later by the Carrboro police department. Photo by Alicia Stemper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Several hours after his first request, Chilton again asked that the occupiers leave the building. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153As the mayor explained, you are breaking and entering right now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carrboro police Capt. Walter Horton said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have given everybody an opportunity to walk out and leave without any charges being pressed, but if you remain in this building you are subject to arrest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Chilton and Horton then left the building to a chorus of boos, while someone in the crowd yelled out to Horton, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Many cops have killed themselves. Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Soon after Chilton and Horton left, the group slowly began to vacate the building, carrying out extension cords, pamphlet holders, pieces of wood and pots and pans containing various food items. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23651\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23651\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation6_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23651\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation6_web\" width=\"500\" height=\"292\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web-113x65.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web-150x87.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web-100x58.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation6_web-360x210.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23651\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mayor Mark Chilton and Carrboro Police Chief Carolyn Hutchison make their initial entry into the building to attempt dialogue with the protesters.  Photo by Alicia Stemper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Though the occupiers did heed the warnings of the police and leave, they did not go quietly. A verbal exchange erupted on the sidewalk in front of the contended building, as a member of the group who identified himself as Johnny Moran gave statements to the press while arguing with the mayor. <\/p>\n<p>Moran said the group was taking back the building to turn it into a community center for the town that could potentially host a free school for children or provide free health care. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23646\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23646\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation1_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23646\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation1_web\" width=\"500\" height=\"387\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web-113x87.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web-145x113.jpg 145w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web-100x77.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation1_web-360x278.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23646\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Masked protesters establish a presence outside of 201 N. Greensboro St. shortly after the building was taken as part of what demonstrators called a permanent occupation intended to establish a social center in the heart of Carrboro. Photo by Alicia Stemper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because I make barely above minimum wage, because the only thing between me and getting evicted is two months rent, I am sick of living in a society like this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Moran said. <\/p>\n<p>He added that the cops were acting as an army of greed and wealth, saying it was their fault some people are barely surviving. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Every time a hungry family can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in that grocery store over there, there is one army between them and the food they need,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he yelled out to the crowd. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are trying to give my police department a bad name,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chilton told Moran. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are full of crap.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Chilton asked Moran to explain to him his views, but Moran refused. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am an anarchist,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That means I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have dialogue with the government or police.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>As the argument came to an end, Moran assured Chilton that the group would be back soon. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The worse things get, the more we will do,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said<br \/>\nOnce everyone had vacated the building, police officers blocked the entrance to prevent re-entry.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23648\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation3_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23648\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation3_web\" width=\"450\" height=\"310\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web-113x77.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web-100x68.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation3_web-360x248.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters dance and wave flags outside 201 N. Greensboro St. during the occupation.  Photo by Alicia Stemper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The demonstrators chanted, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F*** the pigs, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need them, all we want is freedom, freedom,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as the police surrounded the building and later chained the doors. <\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nReactions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Though separate events, members of the community can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but draw comparisons between the occupation and the incidents of Nov. 12-13 at the former Yates Motor Co. building on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, which concluded with a police Special Emergency Response Team raid in which officers brandished long rifles and detained those on the sidewalk outside the entrance of the building before rushing inside. <\/p>\n<p>Sharon Harmon was at the Carrboro Century Center when she came outside and saw the protestors and police across the corner. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think that they have two completely different views of reality,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think people on both sides have legitimate concerns.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I admire the courage of the anarchist to actually demonstrate some concern, but I also should say that I have a great deal of admiration of the police for keeping calm in this situation,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she continued. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23647\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23647\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/2012\/02\/09\/proposed-cvs-site-occupied\/occupation2_web\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-23647\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.carrborocitizen.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"Occupation2_web\" width=\"450\" height=\"267\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web-113x67.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web-150x89.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web-100x59.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Occupation2_web-360x213.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23647\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Masked occupiers pound out a rhythm that went on for much of the afternoon. The noise sparked conversation from neighbors about the negative impacts the occupation would have on their community, in contrast to the protesters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 claims that their activities were in response to neighbors&#039; concerns about a CVS drugstore proposed for the site. Photo by Alicia Stemper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As with the Yates incident, Occupy Chapel Hill\/Carrboro released a statement on Monday saying that the occupation was not an agreed-upon action of its general assembly. Some of those who have identified themselves with Carrboro Commune have also identified with the Occupy movement.  <\/p>\n<p>Carrboro police Chief Carolyn Hutchison said she believes that some of the people involved in the occupation could have been involved in the Yates building occupation, though the two incidents \u00e2\u20ac\u0153are two completely separate situations.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d  <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was a very volatile and difficult situation, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think we could\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had a better outcome,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. Hutchison said there were no arrests made regarding the incident and that no charges related to the occupation will be brought because police told demonstrators that if they left they would not be charged. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We gave our word,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They took the property. We took it back to restore order.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There was enforcement action out there. The enforcement involved the departure of the people that were breaking the law,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hutchison continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If the goal was to secure the property, we did that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>However, Hutchison said, it would be incorrect to assume that there would be no arrests if a similar occupation were to occur in the future. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A lot of it depends on the behavior and the decisions of the peoples who are breaking the law,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. <\/p>\n<p>One thing that is never easy, Hutchison said, is hearing intensely negative comments from demonstrators. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Even after 27 years in the business, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not something that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a response to. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline, common sense and restraint not to engage the negative behavior,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think what the anarchists are doing is actively engaging in dehumanizing the police, making us faceless and nameless \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 making us the army of the rich and powerful. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not rich. If I were motivated by money and power, this probably would not be the occupation I would choose. Officers are motivated by a desire to help people. If it seems that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not motivated by that, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get in the door.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Hutchison consulted with Chilton and other town officials regarding the tactics employed on Saturday, but said that in most situations she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t collaborate with the town. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Each situation is different, so we have to analyze the elements of each particular situation,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said, adding that she is open to input from a variety of people in various situations. <\/p>\n<p>However, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think if a civilian without police expertise makes an effort to limit police tactical response to a situation, then they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing a disservice to the entire community and to the police,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our primary goal is to protect and serve this community, and no one should interfere with our ability to do that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Carrboro Board of Aldermen member Sammy Slade said he was glad that the occupation ended differently than the Yates incident.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to use excessive force,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, adding that he is still concerned about the weapons that the police department has available. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want us to reassess what we have,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153for us to really put into question whether we need that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Slade said he also would like to see the community have a discussion about private property.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not written in any biologic sense that as humans we have to have any relationship with property or space,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of the valuable contributions that this group is making to the community as a discussion.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>But, he added, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Given the law and how it is at the state level, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re required to enforce that law.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My suspicion is that \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 we do live in a culture that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t question private property and that enforcement of it is what most people want, and so to be responsible in this position, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to reflect that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Slade said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If somehow the majority of people in town were questioning vacant spaces and recognizing that that was a form of violence too \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 there may be discretion in the timing of when we enforce.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p>Carrboro Commune has announced that the group will conduct \u00e2\u20ac\u0153guerrilla gardening\u00e2\u20ac\u009d at the site on March 17, in which the property will be turned into a community garden. <\/p>\n<p>At a meeting called by the group on Sunday, Maria Rowan said that years ago the community envisioned what it would like to see at the North Greensboro Street property, and that none of the ideas proposed included a CVS. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think the laws and politics that have allowed this piece of land to be taken out of community control and taken into corporate control\u00e2\u20ac\u009d are the problem, she said. <\/p>\n<p>Center Street resident Jeff Herrick, who is married to board of aldermen member Michelle Johnson and has opposed the proposed CVS development, said he was concerned that the actions of the occupiers may have negatively impacted the work of residents opposing the project. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A lot of their information is not completely informed,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, adding that he hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seen the demonstrators at the many town meetings regarding the project. <\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very boring and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not as exciting as taking over a building, but that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the way it works in Carrboro.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n<p><em>Staff writer Rose Laudicina and publisher Robert Dickson contributed reporting for this article.<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following the Saturday afternoon occupation of the building at 201 N. Greensboro St., members of a group identifying themselves as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carrboro Commune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d are planning another demonstration at the property.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23643"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23679,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23643\/revisions\/23679"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibiblio.org\/carrborocitizen\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}