approaching deadline set by the mayor and police chief, very few of the anti-Wall Street protesters from Occupy Los Angeles had begun breaking down their tents on the City Hall lawn — and most said they didn't intend to. The Occupy LA encampment was abuzz with activity, but nearly all of it was aimed at how to deal with authorities come Monday's 12:01 AM (0801 GMT) deadline. Some handed out signs Saturday mocked up to look like the city's notices to vacate, advertising a Monday morning “eviction block party.” Dozens attended a teach-in on resistance tactics, including how stay safe in the face of rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and pepper spray. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Friday that despite his sympathy for the protesters' cause, it was time for the camp of nearly 500 tents to leave for the sake of public health and safety. The mayor said the movement is at a “crossroads,” and it must “move from holding a particular patch of park to spreading the message of economic justice.” But occupiers did not intend to give up their patch of park too easily. Will Picard, who sat Saturday in a tent amid his artwork with a “notice of eviction” sign posted outside, said the main organizers and most occupiers he knows intend to stay. “Their plan is to resist the closure of this encampment and if that means getting arrested so be it,” Picard said. But some agreed with the mayor that the protest had run its course. “I'm going,” said Luke Hagerman, who sat looking sad and resigned in the tent he's stayed in for a month. “I wish we could have got more done.”
