The city of Newark has extended the deadline for Occupy Newark protesters to remove their encampment from a downtown park.

The group has occupied Military Park since mid-November. The city clerk's office sent the group a letter on Tuesday telling them they would have to leave by 9 p.m. Thursday. Newark City Clerk Kenneth Louis says the eviction deadline has been extended until Saturday at 9 p.m.

Louis says it's up to the police department whether they will evict the protesters.

A police spokesman referred inquiries to the mayor's office, which referred them to the city council, which referred them back to the city clerk.

The council adopted an ordinance in December giving the group permission to stay in the park.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM