Maine Protester Charged With Sledgehammer Threat

PORTLAND — Police have issued criminal trespass orders against eight people in the past two days, forbidding them from setting foot in Lincoln Park where the Occupy Maine protest has set up an encampment.


Police also charged a man, who had been ordered to stay away from the park, with criminal trespass after he was found today in the park.


Commander Vern Malloch said the officers' actions are consistent with their approach in all city parks, where people engaged in crimes are issued orders to remain away from the park. He did say police are paying more attention to Lincoln Park because of the problems that have occurred there since the Occupy Maine protesters began their encampment.


Trespass orders were issued to five men and one woman who police say were drinking beer from paper cups around a table Tuesday afternoon. One of those was Jeffrey McLaughlin, 47. McLauughlin was arrested today for violating the order, police said.


Police also issued a criminal trespass order to Arnold Kidla, 33, after he was seen at 6:40 a.m. by an officer urinating in the park within 100 feet of the portable toilets, police said.


Organizers at Occupy Maine, which arranged for two portable toilets as part of a deal with city officials, say they have been filling up faster than they can be emptied, which has been twice weekly. About three weeks ago, protesters voted at a general assembly to lock the toilets during the day, forcing people to use other downtown restrooms. However, someone smashed the locks, an act that protesters say indirectly contributed to the hatchet attack on Nov. 18 that culminated with protester Christopher Schisler's arrest on a charge of aggravated assault.


The broken locks purportedly prompted demonstrator Alan Porter to drum loudly early the following morning when it was time to rake leaves, said demonstrator Heather Curtis. That act led to a confrontation with Schisler.


The protesters no longer lock the toilets, though at one point, a tent was used to tie one shut because it was completely full and could not be used anymore.


State police spokesman Steve McCausland said a 27-year-old Augusta man made the threat Thursday afternoon. McCausland said Capitol Police issued a summons for him at around noon Saturday.
The man was also given a trespass notice that prohibits him from being in Capitol Park, a state park near the State House.
The protesters are going to federal court on Monday to prevent their ousting from Capitol Park. The protesters have stayed in the park since Oct. 15, but police now say they need to get a permit or move their tents.
Authorities said campers have damaged the ground and other people are complaining they can't use the park.