The Press Association reports:
The City of London Corporation has won its high court bid to evict anti-capitalist protesters from outside St Paul’s Cathedral.
In a judgment that followed a five-day hearing held before Christmas, Mr Justice Lindblom granted orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London.
He said that the proposed action was “entirely lawful and justified” as well as necessary and proportionate and refused permission to appeal although the protesters have seven working days to renew their applications directly to the Court of Appeal.
The corporation agreed not to enforce the orders until 4pm on 27 January pending such a move, which is to be launched on Friday…
The full judgment can be found via the UK Human Rights Blog at Occupy London to be evicted – full judgment.
St Paul’s Cathedral issued this statement:
“We have always said that a permanent camp is an unsustainable forum, but would reiterate to the protestors that we have offered a number of alternative platforms for the important issues they raise to be voiced. We are, through those platforms, committed to engage in the continued debate on these issues and believe St Paul’s can be an effective forum for such debate.”
David Shariatmadari reports for the Guardian that Occupy London protesters greet news of eviction ruling with quiet dismay.
What did anyone expect?
Justice is *bought* in a capitalist society, just like its people.
The trouble is that the ‘occupy’ movement has run out of steam and most people have forgotten that it is still happening. I don’t think that there is any point in the occupation continuing since its continuing presence achieves nothing further. ‘Occupy’ should pack up its tents and go with dignity since a forced eviction will now have the sympathy of the public.
The opposite is true, Richard Ashby, the “Occupy” movement has only just begun! You are out of touch with the global pulse if you think this movement has run out of steam. Wake up and look at the poverty and income inequality around you. It is everywhere.
I think all 3 of you (Mark, Richard, Chris S) may be right.
I think the phase of tent-city “Occupy” is, if not past, in hibernation.
It’s time for new phases. The MOVEMENT to dramatize and FIGHT the “savage inequalities” (hat-tip J Kozol) in our global system, symbolized by Occupy, has Only Just Begun…
Chris, I agree with everything you say, but the continuous occupation of that bit of London, like the similar occupations elsewhere, no longer has the power to shock and the participants need to look for other ways to keep the issues in the forefront of the public consciousness.
Translation of St. Paul’s statement:
“We are perfectly willing to hold traditional, formal, and by invitation-only forums featuring your betters who know how debates are supposed to be conducted: in private rooms, over a glass of sherry and with old school chums. We will, eventually, be willing to publish some kind of obscure, unreadable “position” paper that will not offend our wealthy benefactors but also won’t smack you lot too hard for being the unwashed, title-less ne’erdowells who have no business trying to debate your betters. Here endeth the sermon.”