Authorities to set ground rules for Occupy MN protests

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek says he's meeting Thursday with representatives of a planned protest set to begin in Minneapolis Friday.

Organizers are hoping for a local version of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, starting on the plaza in front of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Stanek said they'd asked for a handful of accommodations, which he said he's considering. But he said the county is likely to rule out several key requests — like staying in tents and a setting up a "soup kitchen."

"Tents aren't going to be part of it," he said.

Stanek said he doesn't think food preparation, particularly anything involving cooking fires or equipment, will be allowed. He said he was meeting with representatives from the Hennepin County Attorney's office to get more legal advice before he meets with protest organizers.

The Occupy MN group said they're going to open their demonstration at 9 a.m. tomorrow, with a rally scheduled for 5 p.m.