Occupy Wall Street protest set for Raleigh

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- After almost a month, the occupation of Wall Street has become quite a spectacle.

"We are the 99 percent!"

RSVPs on the group's website have reached almost 1,000 and some indicated they are bringing more people with them. However, the permit for the grounds of the State Capital is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"I think there's a contingent of our group that's willing to exercise their free speech rights beyond that point," said Stacie Borrello, Occupy Raleigh organizer.

Borrello says at 3 p.m. Saturday, she will announce the end of the protest and leave, but she expects many will stay.

State officials who control Union Square, which is the block the capitol building occupies, say they expect it could take a while for the crowd to disperse. But they add that anyone who thinks they will be spending the night will be arrested for trespassing, so expect the potential for confrontation.

"It's about staying there long enough to call attention to what's going in America, to make our voices heard and demand a response," Borrello said. "If Occupy Wall Street had only lasted for a day, or two days, or a week, it wouldn't even be remembered right now."

A large crowd on Union Square could overwhelm the State Capitol Police Department hit hard by budget cuts. Raleigh police will likely back them up but won't reveal their plans.

As of Friday afternoon, it appeared as if police were making preparations. A City of Raleigh truck and another contractor bucket truck were spotted on the capitol grounds. read more