Occupy New Haven, a collective and protesting group of citizens fighting for economic equality in New Haven, Connecticut, has been

camping at and occupying the Upper New Haven Green since October 15, 2011 – over one hundred and fifty days ago.

Though told to leave by city officials by midday on the 14 of March in the form of a notice served to the protestors, the group stood in solidarity and said, as reported in the New Haven Register, “we have not seen change in the world, so at this time, we will not be leaving the Green.”

True to their word, they stayed. Pass by the Green right now, and the same sturdy green tents are  scattered around and “We are the 99%” signs are still propped up against trees. Why are they still there? A federal judge in Bridgeport granted the Occupiers a two-week extension (until March 28) to stay on the Green.   Judge Janet Hall did rule, however, that the demonstrators would have to pay the City of New Haven for sanitation expenses – garbage removal and portable bathrooms for the whole two weeks.

Many were elated about the news; The Hartford Courant reported Ed Culligan as saying: “I think this is awesome. I knew this was going to happen … I just had a gut feeling.” Others felt differently. Tracy Lamb said, “This is disgusting … it’s just disgusting that they get to stay.”

Occupy movements have been shut down throughout the nation such as in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City – the first major publicized movement. New Haven, the last remaining demonstration in New England, is one of the last few demonstrations currently in progress. Though their mission of fighting economic inequality is noble, we will see if the protesting is forced to come to a halt by the City.