Occupy Dunedin standoff continues

Awaiting developments...

Occupy Dunedin group spokesman Keiran Trass

TV3 News

2 November, 2011

A standoff is continuing between Occupy Dunedin protesters and the authorities.

The protesters were issued with a trespass order yesterday but have ignored it. Now, the police have been called in.

It has been 27 hours since the trespass notice was served on the Occupy Dunedin group and their tents are still pitched in the Octagon.

Group spokesman Keiran Trass says they have sought legal advice and he doesn’t believe they’re breaking the law.

“We have a right to a peaceful protest and that is actually what we represent.”

But the Dunedin City Council says the group has outstayed their welcome.

“The biggest issue is clearly, this is a community space and it is right at the heart of the city yet that space currently is dominated by a proportion of the community,” says Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders.

But that’s a point Trass disputes.

“We are no minority group, we actually represent a large percentage of the population who tell us that they would be here if they could be.”

Protesters in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland fear the Dunedin trespass ploy will soon be used on them too. But they are still staunch – if a little vague.

“I will be here for as long as it takes to bring meaningful change,” says protester Isabelle.

Last night, a Dunedin man pulled out tent pegs and head-butted one of the protesters. He has since been charged with assault.

The brightly coloured tents and campers appear to have polarised other Octagon users.

For now at least it seems the protesters are safe from the long arm of the law. Police say they are still considering whether to enforce the council’s trespass notice and legalities that come with that.