This morning marked Occupy Orange County's first big event since Tuesday when the Irvine city council unanimously granted the group permission to camp 24/7 on the civic center lawn.
The atmosphere was jubilant as nearly 100 activists, hoisting signs decrying corporate injustice, gathered in front of city hall with Councilman Larry Agran, a 1992 presidential candidate for the Democratic Party nomination, as media photographers snapped away.
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Protesters loudly thanked the council for their support before starting the procession, which snaked from the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Alton Parkway, several blocks to the intersection of Jamboree and Barranca.
Along the way, marchers shouted thanks to police officers as they zipped by on motorcycles or sat parked in cruisers along the route.
“I'm proud of what you guys have done here,” he said.
A big question remains: Will Irvine officials renew the permit?
Regardless of the uncertainty, everybody who was asked today said they'll continue with weekly marches and nightly general assembly meetings.
They made good on this position last Saturday with four arrests following an inaugural march.
On Nov. 7, Occupy Santa Ana protesters plan to ask the city council for permission to begin camping.
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