The Occupy activists camping out on The Hague’s central Malieveld will have to leave by Sunday evening because of the approaching cold front, the city council says.

Due to the inclement weather, the municipality’s winter vagrant code will come into force on Sunday evening. It also applies to the demonstrators, the municipality says, since it would not be responsible to let them spend the night in their tents. Sub-zero temperatures have been forecast for this week.

Some 20 Occupy activists have been camping in the spacious park for the past three months. The municipality will allow them to remain there during daytime but not after sunset. They have been told to spend the night at home or go to one of the special winter shelters.

(cl)

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