A proposed amendment to Binghamton's existing law on park use is coming under scrunity from Occupy Binghamton protesters. The legislation was proposed by Binghamton City Council members in January and would prohibit camping in city spaces. And as our Melissa Kakareka tells us, the issue is now about to come up for a vote.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- A proposed revision to the city's ordinance on park use could soon be taking effect.

"What we are trying to do is clarify that camping in its definition is not going to be allowed in city-owned parks and public places," said Councilman Chris Papastrat.

The city's current law prohibits anyone from being in city parks and spaces after 9 p.m. But City Council members want to amend that ordinance to make it clear that camping is also prohibited.

"It would be different if we had the facilities so people could safely camp. But we have a variety of issues from facilities and facility maintenance right on down to insurance, so we need to make sure it's clear that this is not a permitted use under ordinary uses," said City Council President Teri Rennia.

The issue is scheduled to come up for a vote at the City Council's session Wednesday night.

But Occupy Binghamton Protesters and the New York Civil Liberties Union plan to challenge the proposal at that meeting.

They say an amendment prohibiting camping is an infringement on their first amendment rights as well as the rights of homeless people in the region.

"We feel like it is directly targeting us to stop us from any future camping in the spring. But then also if it were to go through, it could make being homeless illegal if it just includes sleeping outside," said Occupy Binghamton protestor Lauren Cemelli.

City Council members say the regulation is not aimed at the Occupy Binghamton protesters.

"It's not directly aimed at them, there are other groups that may want to use facilities in that type of matter, it's not geared for any type of group, it's just a statement that this is not going to be acceptable in the city," said Papastrat.

Instead, it's only meant to clarify a regulation that is already in place.