Protesters with Occupy Cleveland will not be allowed to remain encamped on Public Square, though city officials say the group can continue to have demonstrations there.

The group's existing permits expire at midnight Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday. The group had said it would remain on Public Square even if the city didn't renew the permits

After learning that they could demonstrate -- but not hold camp -- group members said they would have to meet and decide what Occupy Cleveland's next action would be. Erin McCardle, a group facilitator, said she doubted the partial victory would change anything.

"Whether we will remain will have to be determined," she said. "The consensus of the group is that we will be occupying regardless of our permit situation."

Demonstrators could be considered law-breakers if they camp without permits.

In a statement, the city said it denied Occupy Cleveland's request for an extension because the Downtown Cleveland Alliance had already been issued permits for Public Square.

The business and civic organization has permits to install Christmas lighting and holiday displays and hold seasonal activities. The alliance's permits take effect at 6 a.m. Saturday and continue until the first of the year.

Occupy Cleveland, which has camped out on Public Square for about two weeks, knew about the alliance's permits when the protest began. But members thought the two groups could co-exist, said McCardle and fellow demonstrator Tim Smith. Mark Lammon of the Downtown Alliance said it wasn't possible because higher voltage wiring is unsafe for demonstrators to be around.

Smith said Public Square was designed as a forum for free speech and his group shouldn't be blocked from getting out its message of corporate greed and income inequality.

"If we can't because they want to put up lights, that is really sad," he said.

Occupy Cleveland is blocked from being on Public Square at all on Saturday. Its new permit to demonstrate runs from 6 a.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Monday and can be renewed.

Organizers met Thursday with the Downtown Alliance and police leaders. McCardle asked during the meeting whether demonstrators would be arrested if they remained without a permit.

"I have no interest in going to the county [jail]," she told 3rd District Commander Patrick Stephens.

Stephens said police prefer not to arrest demonstrators but must uphold the law.

"We'd rather arrest bad people," he said.