Police rule out removing Occupy Dunedin

This is a pretty misleading headline.  In fact the police have ruiled out using force against the occupiers because they have given no reason for action to be taken against them - a pretty unique response globally.

The Dunedin City Council doesn’t like it because they want to enforce their by-law, despite a conflict with human rights leglislation

Occupy Dunedin protest intensifies

TVNZ, 9 November

The stand-off between Dunedin City Council and anti-capitalism protestors occupying the Octagon has intensified.

Dunedin police have ruled out enforcing trespass notices to the group issued at the end of October.

Last night police issued a statement saying they do not believe "the council's trespass notice meets the test of balancing the rights and freedoms of all parties".

Police also said they are not aware of any activity by the protestors that would justify police intervention.

"We acknowledge and understand that this occupation is frustrating for both the council and some members of the public," 

Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Greg Sparrow said.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says he is "completely at a loss" after police ruled out taking action.

Protestors are still considering the council's compromise offer of a permanent information kiosk and symbolic tent in exchange for protestors leaving.

Occupy Dunedin

A typically bureaucratic response to the 'crisis' - to allow those those who want to close their eyes and ears to what is happening to continue doing so.

'Occupy Dunedin' offered long-term space

Stuff

3 November, 2011

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has offered Occupy Dunedin protesters long-term space in the Octagon in a last ditch effort to remove them from the site.

The protesters have created a tent city in the Octagon in sympathy with the US Occupy Wall St movement and have refused to move.

Cull today sent a letter which began "Dear Occupy Dunedin protesters", suggesting the bulk of the protesters' tents be removed.

"Council could allow the long-term placement of an Occupy Dunedin information kiosk and one symbolic tent in the Octagon at a site to be agreed," the letter said.

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) issued a trespass notice Tuesday. However, that has not as yet been enforced by Police who appear to be taking a softly, softly approach to the matter.

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.

Latest from Occupy Dunedin

'Occupy' Dunedin protestors won't leave

Occupy Dunedin protesters have not budged overnight and say they will not leave the Octagon despite being served with a trespass notice by the Dunedin City Council.

TVNZ

5:11AM Wednesday November 02, 2011

The anti-corporate greed protesters have been camping in the Octagon since October 15 and were given until 8pm last night to leave, though people remained in the area past the deadline.

The occupiers say they will not budge and called on Dunedin residents to join them.

"We invite you all to join us in forming the ring around the Octagon to tell the council that the Octagon belongs to the people of Dunedin and remind them that they are in breach of the Bill of Rights Act, which a bylaw should not exceed," a statement from the group said.

A man not associated with the protesters was arrested and charged with common assault last night after police said he approached the group, pulled out some of their tent pegs and punched one of them.

Occupy Dunedin spokesperson Andy Tait said the group has the support of most Dunedin residents.

"We have caused no harm, and have created an open forum for discussion in the heart of the city," he said.

Another protester Vincent Antony said there were about a hundred people at the Octagon after news spread that the trespass notice had been served.

He said they would not move overnight.

Antony says they have been liaising with police who say they have no plans to act immediately because it is a council issue.

The protesters face fines of up to a $1000 or up to three months in prison if they refuse to leave.

The council has withdrawn its offer of Market Reserve as an alternative camping spot for the protesters.

Occupations throughout New Zealand have rallied in defence of Occupy Dunedin.

Occupy Auckland protesters, who have been in Aotea Square since 15 October, said they planned to march on Auckland Central Police Station in support of Occupy Dunedin.

Joe Carolan, one of the organisers of the occupation of Aotea Square last month, expressed his astonishment at the proposed eviction.

"We are calling for all supporters of Occupy Dunedin to join us to defend the right to peacefully assemble and to object to the gross inequalities that surround us every day."

"Keep it up everyone, solidarity from Occupy Otautahi Christchurch! We are with you," Regan Stokes posted on the Occupy Dunedin Facebook page.

Occupy Christchurch made a complaint to the Dunedin City Council over the eviction.

"Kia Ora. I am a member of the public of Aotearoa New Zealand who pays taxes for the upkeep and maintenance of public assets and city council properties. I support the Occupy Dunedin peaceful protest, and ask the council not to evict the occupiers from this public space," the group's complaint read.

With only weeks to an election, Labour leader Phil Goff yesterday expressed the concern he shares with the Occupy movement about the "greed and recklessness of the corporate world".

Recent eviction attempts in Oakland, California and closer to home in Melbourne, turned violent and have led to accusations of police brutality.

A member of Occupy Oakland gave her support to Dunedin last night on their Facebook page.

"Hey, folks! Lauren from Occupy Oakland here, just sending out a message of love and solidarity. Keep fighting the good fight! We're proud of you, we love you, and we're holding you in our hearts!"

Please share your feeling with the Dunedin Conncil!

The Dunedin City Council is trying to force the occupiers in Dunedin to move. The story is available HERE


Complain to the Dunedin City Council about their plan to evict the Occupiers using this form. 

Please write to the Dunedin City Council.

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Their complaints form is available HERE

Latest from Occupy Dunedin

Occupy Dunedin protestors given their marching orders

NZ Herald

3:57 PM Tuesday Nov 1, 2011

Occupy Dunedin has been given their marching orders from the Octagon.

The dozens of residents must cease camping in the area by 8pm tonight, or be trespassed from the area in the "wider interest of the community".

One resident said a meeting would be held at the site at 7pm to gauge reaction, with several indicating to the Otago Daily Times they would not be moved.

Shortly after 3pm Dunedin City Council representatives, including a security guard, visited the site, which has been occupied since October 15, and handed trespass notices.

A statement issued by the council said despite offering an alternative site, that option was rejected by Occupy Dunedin.

"The Octagon is a reserve which the Council administers for the benefit of the public and your occupation is standing in the way of the wider public's right to use the area," the statement said.

"Your camping in the Octagon has gone well beyond what is reasonable and now displays a disregard for the lawful entitlement of others to enjoy the Octagon.

"The Council cannot condone continuing breaches of legal requirements such as the camping bylaws.

"In the absence of any gesture on your part to negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome the Council now requires you to cease camping and leave the Octagon.

"The Council regrets we have had to resort to such a move but in the wider interests of the community your unwillingness to negotiate has obliged the Council to seek a resolution through legal enforcement action."

If the protesters do not leave the Octagon by 8pm they potentially face a fine not exceeding $1000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

A copy of the norice served  on the occupiers is available HERE

Occupy Dunedin

Protesters claim right to stay in Dunedin's Octagon

NZ Herald, 

17 October, 2011

In Wellington, the mayor Celia Wade-Browne went to talk to the occupiers

Anti-capitalism protesters camping in the Octagon refused a Dunedin City Council request to leave yesterday and say they may remain for weeks.

The "Occupy Dunedin" protest took over the upper Octagon on Saturday.

More than 100 protesters and about 30 tents were still in place late last night.

A council-contracted security firm employee asked protesters to leave about 2.30pm but the group was defiant, and some implored the worker to join the protest, which purports to represent 99% of society against the wealthiest 1%.

The protesters' focus is corporate greed, social inequality, "free market" economics, and environmental issues.

After the security visit, protest leaders warned police intervention was possible.

This prompted "passive resistance workshops" to practise the response to any police intervention.

Leaders dispensed advice about what to do if arrested.

For article GO HERE