What exactly is Raleigh Mayor-Elect Nancy McFarlane “working” on to help the downtown Raleigh protesters? Are public resources, staff time, or materials being used for this? Will the protesters pay rent or sign a lease? Is the Mayor-Elect negotiating a special deal for them?
Mayor-elect Nancy McFarlane said in an interview that she’s talking with a downtown property owner “interested” in hosting the group.
“I can’t tell you the details, because I haven’t worked anything out yet,” she said. “We’re talking through some of the possibilities.”
The city’s handling of Occupy Raleigh poses an early test for McFarlane, who will be sworn in next month as the successor to Mayor Charles Meeker.
McFarlane has cited the potential for setting a precedent. If Raleigh allows an encampment on public property, the same access would have to be extended to other groups in the future.
Joe Huberman, a spokesman for Occupy Raleigh, said demonstrators are disappointed by the city’s stance but encouraged that McFarlane is at least willing to help.
“I’m thrilled she offered to do that,” he said. “We’ve got the mayor-elect working for us. I think we made a good case, and they want to find a way to make it work.”
