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Anorak News | Occupy London is evicted by the High Court – protest is too untidy for free London (photos)

Occupy London is evicted by the High Court – protest is too untidy for free London (photos)

by | 18th, January 2012

GOODBYE Occupy. Occupy London Stock Exchange protesters were at the High Court to hear news that the City of London Corporation has won its High Court bid to evict the self-declared 99% fighting for “social and economic injustice” and forcing questions to be asked over banking and capitalism from outside St Paul’s Cathedral.

After a five-day hearing held before Christmas, Mr Justice Lindblom granted orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London. He said there was “pressing social need” for the 150 protest tents to be removed. If the campers don’t go, the bailiffs will make them.

The people who together form the odd ones out – the human spectacle created just by stopping in an unusual place – can expect a call in the dead of night when the tourists are sleeping and Jesus is not yet open for business. The corporation said there was an “overwhelming” case for the court’s intervention because of the impact on the area of the camp, which has been in place since October 15, and the risk that it would continue indefinitely.

Dr Giles Fraser, the former Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s who resigned when the Cathedral threatened to take its own legal action, noted on Twitter:

“Whatever happens, the voice of protest must continue to be heard.”

Adding, some what woolily:

“You can’t evict an idea.”

But a protest is an idea made real. In an aniry moment, you could say that a Chtiain God is an idea, but the hgumanity needs rela things so thery wera crosses and build massive churches with gold bits.

After the verdict was delivered, Fraser, added:

“This judgment is disappointing. In a world where there is such a gap between rich and poor, the voice of protest needs continually to be heard. The church must not be seen to side with the 1 per cent and against the 99 per cent.”

Even if he has just described the 150 tents as representative of 99% of the world’s human population…

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A protester wearing a mask holds a sign at the Occupy London site outside St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London.



Posted: 18th, January 2012 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink