It was with heavy hearts today that Occupiers began a tactical surrender of the camp at Dewey Square. Following a morning statement from Mayor Thomas Menino that set a midnight deadline for Occupy Boston to leave the space theyâve occupied for the past 70 days, the packing began .

At a camp meeting early this afternoon, the discussion centered around what to pack and an explanation of what plans were already in place, including a proposal to rent trucks to move nearly $10,000 worth of supplies off-site, passed at an emergency General Assembly last night. At 4 p.m., rented and donated trucks were scheduled to arrive to pick up all the big-ticket equipment the camp has accumulated over the past months and take it to safety. The food, library, womenâs caucus, medical unit, and logistics tents were broken down and their contents placed in a surprisingly organized way on the gravel walkway that runs along the camp, as Occupiers ran around asking what they could do to help.

John Ford, the charismatic librarian, packed up his books and big, green canvas tent into a retired ambulance as members of the media team gave interviews to the plethora of press that had descended early in the day. The scene almost had the feeling of the last days of summer camp, as protesters hugged and began gathering their personal items together. Many young volunteers, a mixture of students and tourists, came to help, and the food team, although their tent was dismantled, offered coffee and muffins.

Tonight at 7 p.m. will be the last General Assembly in Dewey Square for the foreseeable future. Tomorrow nightâs GA will take place at the bandstand in the Boston Common.

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