Protesters agree to move west

Occupy Glasgow will this weekend bring to an end its three-week long presence in George Square, before relocating to the West End.

In an amicable conclusion, the activists struck the agreement with Glasgow City Council, which is eager to vacate the square ahead of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day services.

Dozens of protesters who have maintained a presence in the city since 15 October plan to hold a rally at 3pm on Saturday, before marching to their new base in Kelvingrove Park.

Members of Occupy Glasgow agreed on Wednesday evening to the relocation, courtesy of a majority vote of its members.

At a brief civil hearing yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court, in a case originally brought by the local authority to remove the demonstrators, the protesters and the council both agreed to the timetable.

Sheriff Joseph Platt granted the decree and ruled that any goods or effects left in George Square after Saturday should be removed and safely retained by the council, before being passed on to the protesters.

He highlighted the “good faith” between the parties and said he was “grateful” to the protesters for the way in which they dealt with the court action.

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represented protester Kirsty Forsyth and other demonstrators, said: “It’s a victory because, as I understand it, it’s the first time the council have offered an alternative location for an occupation that’s taking place on city council property.

“One view of the occupiers will be that Glasgow City Council perhaps support the anti-capitalist movement and have given a helping hand to the protesters by relocating them to Kelvingrove Park.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We’ve been seeking a negotiated settlement right from the start. We’ve always said we respect people’s right to makes their voices heard.

“The site they will be moving to allows them to maintain a presence, while minimising disruption to the people of Glasgow.”