Occupy LA protesters a no-show in court

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Protesters with the Occupy Los Angeles movement were expected to file a restraining order against the LAPD to keep them from clearing their downtown camp without notice, but no one showed up in court on Friday.

There's some questions over who legally represents the group.

While the restraining order was not filed as planned, the encampment at City Hall is growing by the day, as protesters from other parts of the country descend on Southern California.

The Occupy movement is being rousted across the country by police, but in Los Angeles, demonstrators are settling in for the winter.

Tents provide shelter, solar panels provide power and some have even set up gardens for food.

Protester Adam Alder said he has been feeding people with the greens, but "at this point, they are small finger salads, but they're delicious."

With Southern California's mild climate, some think the movement will grow as it gets colder in other parts if the country.

"I come from Occupy Boston. There's a lot of people from Occupy New York who are filtering in, and we're going to make L.A. into the next great occupation," said protester Lindsey Mysse.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has made it clear that the city will try to work with demonstrators.

"We have said from the beginning that these protesters have a right to protest, freedom of speech. We certainly will protect that right," Villaraigosa said.

But there are signs that the public has had enough.

"I understand they want to protest, they got that right, but I don't like what they're doing to the lawn, and it's getting kind of seedy there," said Arturo Salazar of Los Angeles.

Mitch Schneider of Los Angeles said he supports the cause, but agreed that it may be time to end the protests.

"That's how we did it in the '70s, you know? We knew when to stop," Schneider said.

Despite the grumblings of some, Occupy L.A. is here for the long haul, and as it gets colder in other parts of the country, it could even grow.

See photos of protesters marching through downtown Los Angeles.

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protest, downtown, los angeles news, john gregory

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