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Occupy Santa Rosa Largest Per Capita, Gentler By Comparison

SANTA ROSA (KCBS)— Occupy Santa Rosa is reportedly the largest such demonstration in the nation per capita with over 100 tents set up outside City Hall. But the lawmakers there are taking a kinder, gentler approach to the protesters by comparison to the movements counterparts.

There has been an ongoing back and forth between protesters and city leaders over how to handle the public safety, and public access issues presented by the mass campout.

Those talks culminated this week with the City Council voting five to two to allow demonstrators to apply for camping permits.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

Councilman Gary Wysocki was among the supporters.

"What made me vote in favor is the extraordinary growth I've seen in these protesters," he said.

He added that the ones he has been speaking to seem to get it, that while the protest aspect is important, it's also important to "play by the rules" so nobody gets hurt.

"Right now it's a 15 day emergency ordinance. They don't have a blank check from anybody. They still have to stay on top of their situation," Wysocki said.

They must re-apply for that permit every 15 days. As for how this all plays out, he said it's anybody's guess.

"This is a great awakening for our country and the 99 percent will start to share, and we can give this younger generation the dream that my father and mother had," Wysocki said expressing his hopes.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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