Occupy Muncie protestors are facing some difficulties with where they are located downtown.
On Friday morning, a small fire broke out under a bench at the Delaware County Building. Two members were at the county building at the time of the fire. No one was harmed by the fire, and an investigation is underway to find out what caused it.
"We are still not sure what happened," Kai Bennett, Ball State student and a member of the protest, said regarding the fire. "We don't have any idea who is responsible."
Participants of Occupy Muncie have stayed at the county building since Oct. 19. Approximately five members each night have slept outside, despite the weather conditions, to continue the protest. The first challenge the group had to overcome was when the electricity to the outside outlets was shut off on Oct. 26.
"We can't power their protests," Commissioner Larry Bledsoe said regarding the electricity, according to a Star Press report. "We have a responsibility to taxpayers."
He also added that the taxpayers paid for the power coming out of the outlets.
After the fire occurred, one of the county commissioners, Don Dunnuck, asked the protestors to move down onto the sidewalk at the side of the building.
"I told them that they had to move, that we can't have people camped out there that destroy county property," Dunnuck said, according to a Star Press report.
The occupiers did not put up a fight when told to move and were willing to follow the commissioner's wishes.
"We immediately moved all of our supplies down here," Mary Ogle, Occupy Muncie participant, said. "We're now in the process of reorganizing the supplies from moving [from the previous location]."
Ogle said that during hard times, they can still rely on support from other people.
"Whenever an emergency situation comes up," she said. "We do get a show of support from people who can't always be here."
The group members have been having regular meetings in the evenings to talk about the future of their occupation. There were around 20 people in attendance on Sunday night.
These meetings will continue but will also now emphasize focus on safety precautions.
There might be a possibility that their location may not be permanent, however they said they will continue to stand firm on their beliefs.
"If we have to relocate at some point, that may happen," Ogle said. "As far as us being a presence in Muncie, we will continue here ... We're not going anywhere."
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