Deputies post no trespassing signs on Occupy Pittsburgh camp site

None — PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A judge has issued what appears to be the final eviction order for the Occupy Pittsburgh protestors.

On Monday afternoon Judge Christine Ward ordered the county sheriff to evict protestors and their belongings from a downtown park. Sheriff William Mullen had asked for that specific order.

Protesters said they have been waiting for deputies to show up since the eviction order was signed.

Around 10:30 Tuesday morning, Allegheny county sheriff's deputies arrived and posted no trespassing signs on the corners of BNY Mellon Park. The deputies didn't speak to the protestors and left immediately after posting the sign.

"We planned and we were prepared for it to happen last night. We knew it was going to happen today or late tonight, so the best thing we can do tonight is prepare to make sure we are all safe," said protestor John Carpenter.

Protestors said part of their agenda is to film arrests they believe are doing to happen when protestors refuse to leave the property. The group has set up multiple cameras around the park and they have been streaming video online over the past few days.

Last week Ward ordered the protestors to voluntarily leave the camp by noon Monday, but about a dozen tents remained after the deadline. Most tents and belongings were removed from the park without incident over the weekend.

The group has been camping there since Oct. 15. And while many protesters  packed up over the weekend, others suggested they may stay and seek to be forcibly removed in a final act of civil disobedience.

On Sunday night some protesters also erected what they call "the ark" from a pile of wooden shipping palates that many had used to keep their tents off the ground.

"I'd like to see what Pittsburgh police have in store for us and I want to see their reaction to what we have in store for them," said protestor Tim McDonald.

McDonald stopped short of saying what he meant by that statement, but other protestors said they don't foresee any problems with police.

"We've had a great relationship with the city from the beginning. We have been cooperative with them and they have been cooperative with us. I don't foresee this being like all of the other Occupy's with bulldozers and tear gas and violence," Don Carpenter said.

The purpose of the makeshift sculpture isn't clear, but the only animals seen entering or leaving the ark have been rats, apparently drawn to the normally pristine parklet by food and waste.

The protestors say the movement will continue, but didn't provide specifics.

WPXI