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© unknownOccupy protesters' tents in Stewart Square city park of Des Moines
The US authorities have given Occupy protesters in the city of Des Moines, the capital of state of Iowa, an ultimatum to clear out their encampment by the end of the month.

The protesters have until the end of January to dismantle their tents and leave the city's Stewart Square Park but the occupiers have vowed to stay and face arrest -- or seek a court injunction to prevent the eviction.

Occupy Des Moines protesters have been camping at the site for some three months now.

Occupiers from across the US came together in the city ahead of the Republican presidential candidates' primary vote in Iowa earlier this week.

They rallied at the campaign headquarters of several Republican presidential hopefuls. Police arrested dozens of protesters, including a number of teenagers.

The Occupy Wall Street movement began when a group of demonstrators gathered in New York's financial district on September 17 to protest against the unjust distribution of wealth in the country and the excessive influence of big corporations on US policies.