Seattle college can evict Occupy protesters, judge rules

A Thurston County Superior Court judge says Seattle Central Community College can evict Occupy protesters who have been staying on campus.

Seattle's KING and KOMO television stations report that the judge denied the protesters' request Friday for an injunction that would allow them to stay. The judge says the demonstrators have a right to protest, but not to camp there.

The protesters moved from Seattle's Westlake Park to the campus in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood more than a month ago.

In late November, college trustees adopted an emergency rule banning camping, a move aimed at evicting the protesters. College administrators say there have been reports of vandalism and they can't afford to pay for the extra security and additional cleaning crews.

The demonstrators say they've policed themselves and have been good neighbors.