Two Cathedrals are taking legal action against Occupy Protestors, to get camps off their ground.
The evictions come as previous requests have failed to see any movement from the campaigners who are camped in the churchyard of Sheffield Cathedral and on College Green in Bristol.
Papers were served on protestors earlier this week, and a court hearing is due to take place today.
In both cases, authorities acknowledge the importance of the protests, but say that the camps have become a nuisance, hindering the daily activities of the cathedral.
There had been hopes that cold winter weather would get rid of all but the most hardy of protestors, but the exceptionally mild winter has led to campers staying put for longer than expected.
The Dean of Sheffield, the Very Revd Peter Bradley, said that the Cathedral had been “given no choice.”
He said: “It has always been, and still is, our intention to bring this difficult situation to a peaceful and mutually acceptable conclusion. It is with great regret that we have not yet reached a compromise.”
Dean Bradley said the camp is “a huge drain on our limited resources. We are currently unable to deliver the whole of our projected activities, and our important day-to-day ministry is suffering.”
Neither of the Occupy movements have yet responded to the threat of court action.
Exeter Cathedral, which is also unwillingly hosting an Occupy camp on it’s Cathedral Green, has not yet resorted to legal action.
Protesters at St Paul’s Cathedral con¬tinue to wait for a ruling from the High Court on whether they can remain.
Disputes over the right approach to the Occupy protests at St Pauls led to resignation of Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser last year.
January 13th, 2012 - Posted & Written by Simon Cross
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