An argument broke out within the autonomous zone Friday when Bridgette Allen and two other African-Americans began removing orange road barriers they said reminded them of slavery.

“We don’t want barriers, that’s the thing we’re trying to take down,” said Ms. Allen, 60.

She said she worried that with no clear leadership, too many different messages were being spread by protesters. “I don’t want the anti-racism narrative to be co-opted,” Ms. Allen said.

Some occupiers say they hope to remain as long as possible. “It’s a reimagination of what it looks like for a neighborhood to really look after itself,” said the Rev. Neal Sharpe, who sat at a booth that offered chaplain services on Thursday night. “This is a picture of what a new way of living could be hopefully indefinitely.”