Occupy Atlanta faces deadline in week 2

Occupy Atlanta protesters plan to stay in Woodruff Park despite the mayor's request for them to leave Monday.

Tim Franzen told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri he and other protesters were told the tents they have had pitched in the park for more than a week have to go by  5 p.m. He said they are committed to occupying the park peacefully.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office told Channel 2 Action News that Monday was not a hard deadline and the mayor could re-examine whether he will ask protesters to leave the park. Franzen said regardless of what the city decides, protesters will not leave voluntarily.

"It is going to be painful for Atlanta to see the images of all these folks, church folk, grandmothers, students being dragged out of here," Franzen said. 

Cay Seay told Napier Viteri he has been camping out in the park for the last few days.

"We just want to make a statement." Seay said, "It's not going to be that easy to shut us up and quiet us down. We have important things to say." 

Seay said he’s ready to deal with police force if he has to.

"I’m going to join the circle and link arms so that’s my plan," he said.

Protesters have a self-imposed 11p.m. noise curfew each night in response to neighbors’ complaints. Franzen said they are providing meals, clothing and childcare through their own resources and donations from supporters. They plan to march to Peachtree and Mitchell streets Monday afternoon to visit struggling businesses in the area.