Occupy protests to emerge from ‘winter lull’

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Updated: March 16, 2012 8:12AM

ST. LOUIS — Organizers of Occupy protests around the Midwest will gather next month in St. Louis, pledging to emerge from a “winter lull” as a bigger and stronger force.

Occupy Midwest Regional Conference will start with a gathering at 7 p.m. March 15 beneath the Gateway Arch, organizer Chuck Witthaus said Tuesday. A mass occupation will continue through March 18, but not on the Arch grounds. Organizers aren’t disclosing the location.

Witthaus, of St. Louis, said peaceful protests also are planned, but he declined to discuss details.

Occupy movement supporters from about a dozen cities in seven states — Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Wisconsin — have confirmed they will attend. Participants in nearly 20 other cities may also be there, Witthaus said. He projected that up to 3,000 people will participate.

AP