PORTLAND — Occupy Maine protesters cleaned up their Lincoln Park encampment Saturday, pledging to make the park a tidy and welcoming place.

Three of the protesters took down unoccupied tents, stacked up unclaimed blankets and piled up discarded pillows and mattresses Saturday morning.

The cleanup was slated to continue through today, culminating with a “grand-re-occupation” at the park at 1 p.m.

Live streaming of Occupy protests taking place at New Hampshire Republican presidential primary events — including four carloads of Maine protesters — is being shown at the Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress St., throughout the weekend.

The spruce-up came a day after the city’s response to a lawsuit filed by Occupy Maine last month when the group was denied a permit to allow them to continue camping in the park.

In its response, the city cited bans on protest encampments by other cities and a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that communities can limit protests in public spaces as reasons not to allow the Lincoln Park camp to remain. City officials say the camp is a threat to public health and safety.

“It seems kind of silly that one of their arguments says we are taking away space from the public when people are still walking their dogs here and using our spiritual center,” said Jennifer Rose of Portland, who is in charge of the cleanup.

Rose said the cleanup was focused on clearing away unoccupied tents and refurbishing the area, in preparation for a tour bus of Occupy protesters making its way from Palm Beach, Fla., to Maine. The unused blankets were to be washed and donated to local charities, she said.

The protesters have occupied the park since Oct. 3. About 30 of the tents are being used, down from about 70 at the peak.

Hauling away armloads of blue tarp, Ray Woodburn of Old Orchard Beach said the city’s response was what he expected.

Woodburn said he is committed as ever to the Occupy movement and hopes that the protest will be able to continue at the park. He said the encampment along Congress Street reflects a slice of the larger society.

“We got to know each other and each other’s stories,” Woodburn said.

Bob Klotz of South Portland said he decided to help with the cleanup even though he is not one of the campers.

“I definitely see the value of keeping it a little neater,” said Klotz.

Other Occupy Maine events today include sign making and live streaming of a sketch by Maine protesters in New Hampshire at 11 a.m. at 644 Congress St. The group said the public also is invited to attend their regular general meeting at 3 p.m.

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