Group changes name of Fun Zone protest

Students organizing a Saturday demonstration to preserve the Fun Zone have disassociated themselves from the Occupy movement.

Organizer Courtney Brown, a Corona del Mar High School sophomore, changed the name from Project: Occupy the Fun Zone to Project: Save the Fun Zone on Friday.

While it’s not clear exactly why the group changed names, comments on the event’s Facebook page provide a hint.

One poster suggested camping out at the Fun Zone like Occupy groups have done around the world, and another quickly pointed out that some Occupy groups were turning violent, and it could be a mistake to be even loosely affiliated with the movement.

Brown posted, “This rally is in no way affiliated with the Occupy Movement! Please reiterate that when conversing with anyone about the subject.”

She and about 250 people have indicated on the Facebook page that they would rally at the Fun Zone on Saturday.

Their goal, Brown said, is to sway the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum to restore the mini amusement area instead of building ExplorOcean, an ocean-themed educational center.

— Mike Reicher

Twitter: @mreicher