Council gives order to de-Occupy Sydney

Key figures in the Occupy Sydney movement have vowed that the group’s camp in Martin Place will prevail despite the City of Sydney Council voting to remove it.

Amidst heated scenes at Town Hall on Monday night, all councillors except Greens Councillor Irene Doutney and Labor Councillor Linda Scott voted to ask police to remove the camp, after Liberal Councillor Christine Forster put forward a motion calling for its dispersal.

The decision puts a cloud over Occupy Sydney’s 18-month presence at the corner of Martin Place and Elizabeth St, where it provides meals and support to homeless people around the clock.

But prominent Occupy Sydney participant Lance Priestley said the initiative, which is part of the global Occupy movement against social and economic inequality, would continue no matter what.

“They can take every last person and piece of equipment out of Martin Place and we’ll be back within an hour,” said Mr Priestley.

“Obviously, Council has been less than observant of the global Occupy movement. They have failed to understand that when you try to shut us down, you’re pouring petrol on a fire.”

Mr Priestley opined that Council did not have the legal right to evict Occupy Sydney, and said the City would require an injunction.

“They have no powers to request police to assist them in removing us without a court order.

“And if they do that, we’ll be slapping them with a suit and a court case immediately. We’ve already got the suit prepared.”

Ms Doutney expressed disappointment at Council’s decision, saying Occupy Sydney performed a vital service.

“[Occupy Sydney is] a 24/7 resource and food kitchen. On Saturday, night Occupy fed 300 people. They used 1,300 kilograms of crowd-sourced food,” she said.

Ms Doutney said that unlike some mainstream charities, Occupy Sydney was unobtrusive and should be allowed to stay.

“They have a rule not to approach people, only those who approach them or show interest. This is in contrast to the charity groups that wave people down in the street,” she said.

Ms Scott also criticised her colleagues’ decision, saying freedom of expression was paramount.

“I want to live in a city where everyone is treated equally, where people can express themselves – not a police state,” she said.

But Ms Forster labelled the Occupy Sydney camp an eyesore which must be removed.

“The site, which comprises structures where some protestors have been sleeping, has been an eyesore in one of the City’s premier business and tourist precincts since October 2011,” she said.

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas said while she had sympathy for Occupy Sydney’s plight, it was time for the group to move on.

“This matter was determined by the High Court and the City was awarded costs,” she added.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore abstained from commenting directly on Occupy Sydney on Monday night.

Mr Priestley accused the Lord Mayor of sitting on the fence.

“She doesn’t want to support us but she doesn’t want to criticise us because it might alienate her progressive vote,” he said.

“She’s sitting on the fence – and what she’ll find is when you straddle the fence for too long, you end up with sore balls.”