OLSX protesters talk tactics after eviction stay of execution

Immediate discussions about strategy have begun among supporters of Occupy London, after a High Court eviction order pending on the Court of Appeal.

At the High Court today (18 January 2012) the City of London Corporation was granted an eviction of the anti-corporate corruption and greed camp from public land outside St Paul's Cathedral.

But the Corporation has agreed a "stay of execution" until 4pm on 27 January, pending Occupy LSX and its legal team seeking leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal - after Judge Keith Lindblom refused them any appeal in the High Court.

Protesters, who decide things by grassroots direct democracy, are meeting to consider three broad options - to stay and resist, to shift towards Borough based occupations in the capital, or to look for a new focus.

The debate is also going on virtually, on Twitter and other social media, reflecting the new way in which resistance against corporate greed is being organised.

These developments are occurring immediately on the tail of the #spartacus report campaign, which brought over 3 million people online and helped galvanise thousands to inflict three - and nearly four - defeats on the government on its Welfare Reform Bill, which will take many millions of pounds from support for the disabled, sick and vulnerable.

Occupy protesters have made a direct connnection between £2 billion cuts for the disabled and continued greed and corruption in Britain's and the world's financial institutions. Recently Goldman Sachs worldwide has announced £8 billion worth of bonuses for its highest paid operators.

OLSX supporters have also been commenting on the role of St Paul's in this, as Christians and people of faith mobilise a 'ring of prayer' to support the camp outside the Cathedral.

Christianity Uncut - a network of Christians campaigning against the UK governments' cuts - has also launched an online pledge for people wishing to join the ring.

Anglican Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, commented that "the protest has brought a number of vital themes to prominence ... We want to ensure they continue to have a voice."

But the Christian thinktank Ekklesia has pointed out that after an earlier volte face from hostility towards a measure of support and cooperation for their new neighbours, St Paul's made "a quiet u-turn" and joined in the moves to evict the Occupy Protest Camp.

"Some of us would rather have support from Christianity Uncut (@christiansvcuts) than a Bishop who believes Jesus would condone forceful eviction of the dispossessed," one OLSX supporter tweeted this afternoon.

Symon Hill, associate director of Ekklesia, who has been involved with the ring of prayer plans, commented: “In recent months, the public have seen starkly different images of Christianity. On the one hand, there is the image of a church institution concerned with order and routine. On the other hand, there are Christians backing 'Occupy' and planning a ring of prayer. They are witnessing to an understanding of Christianity that does not seek to impose power on others but to stand alongside those who are resisting the injustices of the powerful."

He added: “Despite the good work that is no doubt done by St Paul's Cathedral, many Christians will be disappointed that some seem more concerned with the inconvenience of a campsite than with the much greater damage done by the City of London and global financial systems.”

* The OLSX ring of prayer pledge petition can be found at: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ring-of-prayer-at-eviction-of-ocupy-...

[Ekk/3]