Occupy protesters square up to campsite eviction threat
Protesters agreed at yesterdays meeting to clean up the square but refused to leave
OCCUPY Edinburgh protesters have set themselves on a collision course with the authorities after pledging to remain at St Andrew Square indefinitely.
Members of the movement said they would clean up the civic square but voted against moving out at a meeting yesterday.
The decision came despite growing anger on the part of the public and local businesses.
Yesterday, the Evening News told how Essential Edinburgh, the business group that manages the square, said forced eviction was now on the cards after weeks of failed negotiations.
Chief executive Andy Neal today said: “It would be very difficult for them to now to put the case forward that they can simply tidy up the camp and remain as they are.”
Mr Neal said that action was likely to be taken to remove the protesters from the camp.
He added: “It’s quite likely that will be the case. We’ve already said eviction is one of the options open to us and we’ll use that if we think it’s the most appropriate way forward.
“I don’t want to say what the next steps are, because I haven’t heard exactly what their proposals are, but all of the issues discussed previously are still there. The fact of the matter is [the decision to stay] it is not up to them.”
Mr Neal added that he would be meeting with the camp before a decision on the next step is taken.
Essential Edinburgh has received complaints from businesses around the square and in George Street concerned at the level of mess.
The George Hotel said its guests were scared to walk through the space because they claimed it no longer appeared safe. Police have also been called to a spate of incidents in recent weeks, which the protesters insisted had largely been caused by troublemakers from outside the camp.
As with other cities around the world, the Occupy Edinburgh group set up camp nearly three months ago in protest at social and economic inequality.
After a four-hour meeting at a church in Shandwick Place, Occupy Edinburgh said: “We are glad to hear that Eton graduate David Cameron has at least started talking about limiting excessive executive pay, but talking is not good enough. Occupy Edinburgh plan to continue as long as these gross inequalities are allowed to exist.
“The meeting held today brought everyone back together following the holidays with a renewed enthusiasm.
“In order to make our message clearer we hope to create new policies to develop St Andrew Square as a safe, welcoming and family space.”
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Comments
There are 38 comments to this article
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soapbox
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 11:23 AMIf the authorities around the world could learn just one thing about the Occupy movement it is this. Threat's of and actual eviction only serve to strengthen the movement and reinvigorate activist spirits. If the day comes when eviction at the square is imminent then those fine committed folks braving the elements can look forward to this ageing grey haired supporter being there in more than spirit. It's time the corrupt Scottish banks who have taken the lions share of the bale-out and robbed their country folks be called to be accountable for their follies. Keep up the good work Occupy Edinburgh. Just because many of us don't have the health to camp out in all weathers it doesn't mean you don't have the support of thousands.
occupylink
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 07:53 AM#33 Tartancult. We may be repititive and tedious in your view, but we are insensed at the obscene amount of money bank executives pay themselves. Some are paid around 10 million pounds a year in bonuses. We think they are providing a worse service than they did, say 30 years ago, when similar bank employees, and that is what they are, just employees, were paid 120,000 pounds. You mention we are getting new active supporters. We sure are, and we want more. We know people out there want to help us, and you all can. Come in and see the community in St Andrew Square. You also, Tartancult. Anytime! All are very very welcome. Afterall, you are in bonnie Scotland. :)
Sally Longlegs
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 02:52 PM#31 why dont you join the SSP ? They think money grows on trees too .
Sally Longlegs
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 02:50 PMGood pic EEN shows the standard of well dressed gentlemen occupying part of our city. Get rid of them back to their kennels now.
misinformation
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 10:49 PM33. ?
Tartancult
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 08:12 PMInteresting that those who avow support for this so-called occupation are all new to this site. If I was cynical I would suggest that those in support are simply the so-called occupiers. As neither a supporter nor an opponent of these people (the so-calleds) I would say that their message, assuming they have one, has been lost in space and their continued bleatings disguised as remedying the world's wrongs are both repetetive and tedious. And inconsequential.
newspaceman
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 06:40 PM24 Rugal, I think the "real world" you speak of is the one that the protestors wish changed. As regards your "pension", you are living in cuckoo land,, the financial systems operational now are architected to fail and, when they do, you will realise you have zero, or perhaps just the pittance that the "State" will provide.
rainbowlighthouse
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 05:17 PMI would like to extend warm thoughts and helpful actions to all those involved in Occupy Edinburgh. They seem to me to be profoundly UNselfish people who are taking a stand for important issues that affect us all. I hope there is information on the relevant websites about the kind of ways that Edinburgh folk like me can help out. I've heard that water and newspapers are always welcome - and that they're happy to chat to passersby who needn't be shy or afraid about stopping by. And please don't worry about the grass getting muddy, people - it will grow back! Let's not be a Don't-Walk-On-The-Grass culture - nor a Don't-Mention-The-Injustices culture :-)
trenchchat
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 05:01 PMI salute the protestors and support them in helping to bring the worst aspects of capitalism to our attention. However, they are wrong in thinking that this type of "passive" protest will make any real difference in challenging the status quo. It's not reforms we nee to mend the system or make it nicer, its revolution and radical change to transfer power from the rich to those who make the wealth for the rich.
Gardeners
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 04:59 PMWe have visited the Occupy camp on several occasions, and fully support what they are trying to do. They are sincere and honourable people, like the vast majority of the rest of the occupy movement. THERE HAS BEEN NO OPPOSITION TO THEIR AIMS IN THE WIDER PUBLIC UNTIL THE SCOTSMAN AND EVENING NEWS STARTED THEIR SCURRILOUS CAMPAIGN, doubtless backed by corporate money and the coniving of the city centre Tory councillor, who is incidentally in breach of a motion passed by the Council supporting OE. The Newspaper's attempt to skew public opinion in a "survey", in which those who support the protests were divided into two groups to make support look smaller, is as despicable as it is transparent. Further, the results were still heavily in support of OE until at a certain point in the day masses appeared to vote against them, all within an hour. Strange coincidence? I think not. Who owns The Scotsman? If not in law then by holding it's lead.
islaisla
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 02:53 PMinteresting that scotsman used a photo of tents with one person in it dressed in a way that provokes judgemental people to make assumptions. Would be so easy to use a picture of the music, plays, talks, family events and other things that OE do regularly which would show all walks of life, smiles and positive emotions. Open your eyes readers...do not judge a book by it's cover - go find out for yourself, and decide based on your findings. Take a friend, and go and talk to people there, try to find out what's happening there. At the mo it is so cold, a hard time for those who have managed to stay there. I wish you all good luck and take my hat off to you. isla
nikzageek
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 02:51 PM@ #24 Rugal: I live in the real world, supporting a family, holding down a job, trying to keep a roof over our head and i fully support what Occupy is doing! How are they being patronizing? It makes me sick that the bankers and the 1% elite can take my hard earned tax money for their million pound bonuses, that they get tax breaks, pay no tax and expect us to pay for everything while they pay for nothing and reap the benefits from it all. I live in the real world and think more people need to look at what these protest are actually about and see the valid point they have and how it can only benefit the ones that are living in the real world!
Cav
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 02:34 PMOh, newbie posting on a news forum. Should I engage with the knuckle draggers and there violent commentary? Nah, they are part of the 99% too. Far better to make a positive post...and I positively support OE.
ONHJoshS
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 02:29 PMInstead of kicking people out of a space, why not put together some way of working with the protesters to make the space clean and safe? Police must respect the ideals of free expression and the right to protest and assemble peacefully! I am also from Occupy New Haven, in Connecticut (USA), and the police and the city are both fantastic. They routinely talk with and work with the protesters to keep the Occupy site on the New Haven Green a safe place where we can assemble and protest economic and social injustice. Being able to voice your opinions is a vital part of any healthy society. Edinburgh, Please don't go down the road that Oakland, California or New York went down. We don't need violence against peaceful protesters and we must preserve the right to speak out against powerful, selfish, greedy, moneyed interests who are crashing economies worldwide with their greed. -- Josh S., Occupy New Haven
Rugal
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 02:18 PMAre all the protesters patronising tools? Try living in the real world, a world were you'll have to pay taxes, raise a family, keep a roof over your head, find and keep a job, save enough for a pension you can live off.
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