PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The city of Portland has filed a response to Occupy Maine’s lawsuit seeking to remain in a city park where protesters have been camping since October.

Occupy Maine filed a lawsuit after the City Council last month voted to evict campers because of concerns about safety and sanitation. In its response filed Friday in Cumberland County Superior Court, the city argues that local laws over parks still allow for freedom of speech.

Occupy Maine is planning to clean up its Lincoln Park encampment on Saturday and Sunday. Portland officials this week asked members to clean up trash and debris and remove unoccupied tents and structures.

A small band of protesters continue to camp out even as other Occupy groups around the country fall by the wayside.