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Yesterday Occupy Sheffield became the first English camp in the global Occupy Movement to gain support from their local Council. At their December meeting, Sheffield Councillors debated with protesters and members of the public, ultimately agreeing the attached Motion in support of the protesters. The original motion proposed Green Party Councillors Jillian Creasy and Rob Murphy, and was heavily amended by Labour Councillor and leader of Sheffield Council Julie Dore.

As part of our continuing activities to draw attention to global inequality and the corrupting power of big money on our democracy, this week marks one month of protest, discussion and occupation on the city streets.

Following a trying week, with disagreements with the Cathedral unfortunately played out in local media, Occupy Sheffield protesters received backing from the Council, to have a fresh mandate for constructive discussions with Cathedral management, and for continuing our vital work as part of the global Movement.

We look forward to further meetings with the Dean and the Cathedral management team to ensure that the Archer Project can continue its vital work with the disadvantaged. We reiterate that we are willing to temporarily reconfigure the camp to ensure that we do not impair the financial activities of the Archer Project or the Cathedral. We intend to seek clarification from the Cathedral as to whether it’s primary activities are financial or social.

Although Occupy Sheffield welcomes most of the sentiments expressed in the council resolution, we think they need to act in a way more befitting of adults acting with the entrusted power of their electorate and it’s no surprise that we’re in the position we’re in if the juvenile culture which prevailed yesterday is the norm for decision making in this country. The Green Party motion was amended by means of deleting the whole of it and inserting a thoroughly partisan piece of politicking by the ruling Labour group which gives the illusion of supporting Occupy Sheffield whilst actually hijacking the occasion with the assumption that Labour must be our movement’s party of choice. In order to pass this less than illustrious motion, the council had to suspend their own constitution! Occupy Sheffield firmly believes that the need for an alternative approach to decision making at the local level is a key component in redefining the relationship between the individual, corporations and the state.

We are also disappointed the council seemed to give weight to the Dean’s unsubstantiated comments at part f of the council’s statement; neither the Dean, Peter Bradley, nor any other representative from the Cathedral attended this full council meeting. In contrast, at least a dozen supporters of the movement did. It is therefore difficult to see why the Peter Bradley’s word carries more weight than ours, when the council leader herself admitted she could not verify his comments, and that matters between the Cathedral and the camp were exactly that; they do not involve the council.

As always, we welcome all interested members of the public to our daily General Assemblies at 6.30pm or our new weekly Public Assemblies, Saturday’s at midday. Furthermore, we also urge members of the public to attend a council meeting such as the one yesterday, so that they can be in a position of full knowledge as to the degree to which point-scoring and back-biting taint their local politics.

There is no rule which says that a democratic system be one of trench warfare between intransigent and implacable foes. This is to all our detriment and allows those interests which would act without societal conscience to flourish.

Our system of consensual democracy is both productive and fair: we believe that this is more what 21st century democracy should look like, than an ongoing bunfight. Come and join us, to tell us what change you would like to see, and become part of making a better, fairer world.

Council Statement in Full

That this Council:

(a) Notes that the Occupy Movement both in Britain and internationally raise important issues around the way that our economic system is not working for the majority of people;

(b) Further notes that the presence outside Sheffield Cathedral replicates that at St Paul’s in London and hundreds of similar demonstrations in cities across the world;

(c) Believes that we need a more responsible economy and that the legitimate concerns raised by Occupy enter the debate about how to achieve this;

(d) Further believes that the methods of Occupy will not receive universal support, however acknowledges their right to protest peacefully; and

(e) Fully supports the important work of Sheffield Cathedral and, in light of recent comments by the Dean of the Cathedral indicating that it is now his wish for the protesters to leave the Cathedral, hopes that the church and Occupy will work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

(f) Whilst supporting Occupy Sheffield’s right to protest, notes the concerns of the Dean of Sheffield and urges the Occupy Sheffield Group to respect the wishes of the Cathedral and the Archer Project.