N.J. ordered to return belongings seized from Occupy Trenton protesters

A New Jersey judge has ordered the state to return belongings seized from the Occupy Trenton protesters in a park across the street from the Statehouse.

A temporary restraining order the judge issued prevents the state from enforcing rules that attorneys for the protesters say were improperly developed in response to the demonstration, one of the many modeled on the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Edward Anthony Salter has been involved in the Occupy Trenton protest since it began a month ago. He said he’s pleased with the judge’s decision to return the computers, clothing and other items.

“They were gifted to us and they were bought of our own person so that we could maximize our time and our resources here,” Salter said. “So to be able to get back to fully functioning will be awesome.”

Ed Barocas, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said he’s pleased the protesters will have their supplies returned–but he also wants other items to be allowed there.

“We would like to see the right to have temporary structures whether it be tents or whether it simply be protection from the rain which was allowed in the past for another group that used this same park,” said Barocas.

The judge is not allowing protesters to have tents or other temporary structures at the site. They’re also not allowed to use the park’s electricity.

Occupy Trenton representative said they’ll find other sources of power so they can remain at the site.