SEATTLE -- The majority of Occupy Seattle protesters were packing up at the Seattle Central Community College campus Friday. Now the big question is where will they go next?
About two-thirds of the 100-some protesters had taken down their tents by noon, but a few protesters said they planned to stay and risk arrest.
Friday was the deadline for Occupy Seattle demonstrators to fold their tents and leave the college campus. The college gave them a 72-hour eviction notice Tuesday because of health and safety concerns about the camp.
Occupy Seattle was also holding a 24-hour "teach-in" on campus Friday that would provide civil disobedience training, along with lessons on restorative justice and other subjects.
The next big Occupy Seattle demonstration was scheduled for Monday. Demonstrators said they will try to occupy the Port of Seattle, in conjunction with other occupy movements along the West Coast.
In late October, about 100 Occupy Seattle protesters moved to the college after being forced out of Westlake Park for illegal camping. Since then, the camp has reduced in size, according to the college, especially after the eviction notices went up December 6.
The issue has fueled a legal battle. Last month, the college's board of district trustees voted prohibiting camping on campus, then Occupy Seattle filed a temporary restraining order to stop that from being enforced.
Last week, a Thurston County judge sided with the college, meaning the tents and campers had to go, but Occupy Seattle is challenging that and filed a motion for reconsideration.
The message Friday morning at the Occupy camp at Seattle Central was they are working with the appropriate authorities and they are still deciding what their next steps will be.
Dr. Paul Killpatrick, President of Seattle Central Community College, said, "No one wants a confrontation. This still has the potential to end peacefully. Occupy Seattle will determine the outcome."
KING 5's Natalie Swaby and the Associated Press contributed.
