Representatives for the Occupy Missoula movement say they will remove a large green tent from the county courthouse lawn on or before Martin Luther King Jr. Day but will remain on the grounds.

In a letter to county commissioners dated Jan. 9, the group said it has agreed to remove the tent, which houses smaller tents, but will stay on the lawn "exercising constitutional rights of peaceable assembly and free speech while seeking redress of grievances."

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution last Wednesday that bans non-permitted camping and structures from county property, effective immediately. Occupy protesters Katherine Keller, Casey Louis and Laura Jensen applied for a permit the following day but were denied.

Protesters have been on the courthouse lawn for the past three months.

Associated  Press

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