A smaller but still passionate group of protesters continues to hold down the fort in the Occupy Edmonton movement, even though demonstrators are being asked to vacate their downtown camp.
About 40 people spent a second night sleeping outside on Jasper Avenue and 102nd Street as temperatures dipped below zero for the first time this year.
The land in question is owned by Melcor and in a phone conversation with CTV News, CEO Ralph Young says his company has respectfully asked the protesters to leave the property by 10 a.m. Tuesday.
He says the request isn't a matter of taking sides, but rather a legal liability issue.
Protesters will hold a general assembly at 6 p.m. Monday to determine whether to move their camp to a public park where they will ask the city to lift prohibitive bylaws.
There is no word at this time if they will comply with Melcor's request, or if police will need to get involved.
The Occupy movement is a worldwide phenomenon that started on Wall Street, with participants protesting against what they consider social inequality caused by a corporate tax structure that benefits only one per cent of the population.
During a noon "information session," locals marched to Canada Place where they criticized the federal government's plan to cut $4 billion in public spending by 2015. While there, they also repeated their call for "the other 99 per cent" to join them.
"We're hoping to unite some unions and some working folks to come support us," said Mahad Mohamed.
The group does not have an official leader or a specific set of demands, with members saying they are fighting for a common cause, regardless of what form it takes.
For Grade 12 student Luke Lupul, a serious issue is green policies.
"In specifically Alberta there's a lot of oil lobby money influencing our politics and environmentalist initiatives are always going to be shut down here which is not fair, that is not democratic," he said.
The environment and oilsands practices are expected to become a primary focus on Wednesday, since it's a major area of concern for many participants.
Several people who happened across the protest in downtown on Monday offered varying degrees of support for the initiative.
"They are not creeps and weirdos, they are us and they have something to say. I think we should listen," said onlooker O'Neil Carlier.
"They are dedicated to their belief, I'll give them that," seconded Steve McLauchlan. "There's other ways to do this, but this is the stepping stone for how to get it started maybe."
Others, like Dean McLean, believe the demonstrators have "some legitimate points," but also wonder if some participants are "just looking for something to do."
Those who are still representing the movement on day three assure even if they have to relocate to a different park, the spirit of their movement isn't going anywhere.
"We're here and we're going to keep organizing and we're confident that we will get numbers out," said participant Eduardo Martinez.
Kirk Hansen agrees.
"It is our focus to remain diplomatic and democratic and create a message wherever we are, regardless."
With Files from Laura Tupper and Sean Amato
