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Some Occupy Protesters Trash Civic Center Park On Purpose

DENVER (CBS4) - All signs at Denver's Civic Center Park are pointing to the possibility of another run-in with police after some Occupy Denver protesters trashed part of the park.

Protesters are in their third month at the site along Broadway in downtown Denver, and the current conflict that has emerged is over trash that now litters some trees in the park and surrounds the camp-out area.

Denver Public Works crews were set to clean up the sidewalk where the protesters are camped out last week, but they backed off that plan on Thursday after running into opposition from the Occupy supporters.

Park managers told CBS4 the situation is getting out of control.

"Free speech is not property destruction, vandalism and taking away a public access from the rest of the community," said Civic Center Conservancy spokeswoman Lindy Eichenbaum-Lent.

One protester said the trash represents "the true state of America" because the "country is a mess." Another said the trash in the trees represents symbolism.

"Urban parks are not built for long term habitation," Eichenbaum-Lent said.

Protesters say they are nervous that any attempt to clean the area could be an intent to wash away their movement completely.

"Because it's been used as a political tactic to clear the social movement away, Occupy Denver is suspicious that that's what's happening now," one supporter told CBS4.

Public Works says they still plan to clean the park but haven't set a specific time for when that will happen.

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