PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A Providence city councilman is planning to introduce a measure that would lift the closing hours for the public park where Occupy Providence protesters have been camping for more than a month without a permit.

Councilman Luis Aponte said Thursday his amendment would keep Burnside Park open around the clock. City officials say the park is closed from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and that protesters are breaking the law by staying overnight.

Meanwhile, Aponte tells The Associated Press he will ask for a vote at the council's Thursday night meeting on a non-binding resolution expressing support for the protesters. He says they have a constitutional right to stay.

The measure could be referred to a committee instead.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare ordered activists to leave the park by Oct. 30, saying legal action would be taken if they didn't. City officials say now they're in talks with an attorney representing the activists.

Occupy Providence is planning to rally at City Hall on Thursday evening in support of Aponte's resolution and the measure that would change the park hours. The rally is part of a day of mass gatherings on the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement and in response to efforts to break up Occupy camps nationwide.

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