Occupy Colorado Springs Removed From Acacia Park After Mayor Refuses To Renew Permit (VIDEO)

In the midst of crackdowns on Occupy Wall Street movements across the country, police in Colorado Springs removed protesters from Acacia Park at 1 a.m. Monday.

The protesters had obtained a temporary permit to stay in the park, which expired at midnight on Sunday. Mayor Steve Bach denied an application to renew the permit. Senior city planner Ryan Tefertiller told the Gazette renewing the permit "will jeopardize the operations of the general City and the public interest."

Police first contacted protesters at 11:01 p.m. Sunday asking them to remove their items and voluntarily leave the park. KKTV reports about 50 protesters remained at the park when officers moved in after a 2-hour grace period. Officers dismantled and removed all structures in the park but made no arrests.

Mayor Bach's decision not to renew the permit may be appealed to the city council, writes Fox21. A 10:00 a.m. post on the Occupy Colorado Springs Facebook page indicates occupiers may publicly protest at the Colorado Springs City Hall today.