CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Members of the Occupy Charlotte movement were ordered to remove their tents from the lawn of the old city hall Monday, police said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers arrived shortly after 7 a.m. to begin enforcing new rules approved last week that gives officers the authority to evict or arrest people who are camping, living, or sleeping on the property.

“We’re going to give them ample time to do it,” Capt. Jeff Estes said. Estes would not say how long protesters have to remove the tents.

Estes said protesters were welcome to stay at the site to protest, but can no longer have tents on the property after the vote by Charlotte City Council.

Police officers were videotaping the protesters and the protesters were videotaping officers as they moved from tent to tent instructing people to remove their tents.

There were about two dozen tents at the site early Monday. Some people were taking their tents down after officers arrived, others were not.

“This is complete B.S.,” said Devin Goings, 26. “If they come, I’m staying and if it means being arrested, I’ll be arrested.”

Goings put up a sign in front of his tent that read “First Aid Station.”

Another protester, Robbie Hodge, 43, would not say if there would be civil disobedience, but he added, “I’m disappointed with the way the city is handling this.”

The general contractor said he’s worried the enforcement of the ordinance might extend to homeless people who might have a sleeping bag or a tent. He thinks the move is an attempt to “clean up the streets” before the Democratic National Convention this summer.

Protesters have been camping at the old city hall site since last fall.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)