Occupy Sheffield have come to an agreement with the proprietor of the Citadel of Hope building. At the application for Possession hearing taking place at Sheffield County Courts on 18th January, both parties will agree an end date for the occupation set for one month’s time. This stay of execution will enable negotiations to continue between the occupiers and the proprietor, to determine if there can be a proper legal basis for the use of the building. This agreement, which has only been possible due to direct and open discussions between Occupy Sheffield and the proprietor, will be ratified by tomorrow’s court proceedings.
We are pleased to have been able to engage the proprietor constructively in a progressive and forward looking manner and that the time and energy of costly legal wrangles has been averted and our energies can be more effectively focused.
It is worth noting that the council have an active ‘temporary use’ strategy in this part of the city, and we certainly hope that the use of the Citadel by Occupy Sheffield would be supported by Sheffield City Council.
Occupy Sheffield is also engaged with Sheffield Cathedral in another legal action due in Court on 26th January. We would like to be able to engage with the Cathedral in a similarly progressive and open manner, and save all parties the considerable time and energy of a prolonged dispute. Therefore our invitation to the Dean Peter Bradley to visit the camp remains: We would love him to engage with us directly, and experience some of the love, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit which has marked the Occupy camp. In recent radio interviews, Mr Bradley has raised his concerns over attending the camp, and has cited his fear that he would be subject to ‘the anger of 30 people’. We would like to reassure Mr Bradley that this will not be the case. We certainly do not see him as a Daniel and ask him not to see us as Lions!
Occupy Sheffield
6 comments
January 19, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Your minutes for the GA meeting held after seem to indicate different. the phrase “got 28 days grace for being there.” Do i take it that OS will be leaving the Citadel if the owner is not willing to negotiate?
January 19, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Can i also ask that in your last paragraph you use the lines “Mr Bradley has raised his concerns over attending the camp, and has cited his fear that he would be subject to ‘the anger of 30 people’. We would like to reassure Mr Bradley that this will not be the case.”
Again, can i point you to your minutes of your GA meeting 19th Jan where in relation to the situation with the cathedral “Worth carry on with these, but need to make cathedral more responsible for what they say publically. There is a reality of violence if there is an eviction and they need to know that. ”
A reality of violence? who from?
January 19, 2012 at 2:53 pm
The meeting notes have been edited to make them clearer – it is baliffs and the Police enforcing any eviction order that has the potential to result in violence being used, on the Catherdal grounds and on the behalf of the Cathedral, against the non-violent direct action of the Occupy Sheffield camp.
January 19, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Im sorry but if OS know that the eviction is coming and do not resist it or even better leave an hour before the eviction then nothign will happen, will it.
The police would only use what limited powers they have in the event of the campers refusing to obey the legal decision to leave.
The “threat of violence” is actually set by OS not by the people enforcing the law, would you not agree?
Why are you altering minutes? has the wording being agreed by the group? i thought OS was pretty clear that it has no figurehead and that ALL decisions are taken by the group. Whoever has amended the minutes ahs done so without authority i would guess.
Would you also like to answer my other point about leaving the squat at the Citadel in a month if the owner follows through the decision to have you leave on the 17th February?
January 19, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Can i also ask if you have a licence to do the on street collection of £40 as outlined in your minutes of the 19th? This would have to be applied for 28 days before taking place.
January 25, 2012 at 10:34 am
I’ll ask again, can i please have a response from OS