Occupy Austin protestors' first attempt to expand from city hall to the Texas state capitol grounds has been limited by Department of Public Safety troopers.
About 30 protestors left the capitol peacefully after the troopers cited State Preservation Board regulations on Saturday afternoon that limit protests without permits to three hours during a 24-hour period. They had been on the steps since about 11 a.m.
Troopers at the capitol declined to comment.
Ihor Gowda who protested at the capitol told the Austin American-Statesman that protestors hoped to establish a long-term presence at the capitol.
Protestors have been voicing their concerns outside city hall since October. He said it was disturbing that there was no zone for free speech on the capitol grounds.
