Anti-capitalist protesters occupy Cathedral Green
Protesters highlighting the global imbalance between rich and poor have set up camp on Exeter's picturesque Cathedral Green.
About 100 supporters of the Occupy Exeter movement marched through the city centre on Saturday, culminating with up to 20 people pitching tents for an "indefinite" stay on the historic burial site.
It came as the Cathedral held services for Remembrance Sunday, but the protestors insisted they were being "respectful".
Diocese staff have told the group they would prefer they did not camp on Cathedral land, but that they support their right to protest.
The camp was established a week after demonstrators first pitched tents in Plymouth, at Jigsaw Gardens, Drake Circus. The movement now claims around 2,000 cities are taking part across the world.
Maurice Spurway, Exeter coordinator for Friends of the Earth, took part in Saturday's march. He said he was driven by a "deep sense of unfairness" about the growing gap between rich and poor.
Stuart Crewes, a member of Occupy Exeter's media group, said the action was "very peaceful", and had generated a lot of interest. He said: "A couple of people have objected, but they seemed the type of people who would be angry at anything. Most people have stopped for a chat and been very supportive."
He said: "We're here to raise awareness. We're not here to offer solutions, but a forum for debate."
Like the Occupy movement outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, the group makes decisions through general assemblies held throughout each day, where every voice is said to have equal weight.
Mr Crewes said most of the campaigners were students or in full-time work, and would therefore have to balance their attendance with other commitments. Mr Crewes lives four minutes from the site, and admitted he has also "popped home to feed the cat", but would be returning to the camp whenever possible.
Exeter Cathedral has said it has not giving its permission for protestors to camp on the Green, but acknowledged their right to demonstrate. The Acting Dean, the Reverend Canon Carl Turner, has met with protesters.
He said: 'The Church recognises the right to peaceful protest and some of the concerns of the protesters are shared by many people, inside and outside the Church."
4 Comments
by SGirling
Monday, November 28 2011, 2:29PM
“Well done those protesters and all their hard work outside the Cathedral. I wanted to pass on my regards when I went past at 10am this morning but most of you were still asleep in your tents after a hard weekends protesting so I thought it best to leave you be. Firstly a great choice of place to protest about the evils of capitalism. Ruining the outside of a religious landmark will really "stick it" to the man and send the right impression to those unsure of your campaign. Nice to see you are also employing some of your previous vocations skills to this demonstration, i.e begging for food. I really hope that the kind working folk of Exeter dug deep to furnish you with "milk, bacon and bread" rather than giving it to those worthless charitable causes. Anyway keep it up team and make sure you have one eye on the next pointless thing to "protest" about so you can continue your worthless, parasitic existence, ******* money and handouts from the very society you chastise. Or, here's an idea.... What about getting a job and making your contribution to society in other ways? You'd have to get up before 10am however so maybe not......”
by nickthompson
Monday, November 14 2011, 12:22PM
“I don't declare I understand high finance and in that I feel I am with most people, including it seems, the experts.
Whenver I see the expression "the markets" my blood runs cold. These people hold sway over the world economy and they have a way of getting richer and richer, while we get poorer and I wonder how e ever let them have so much power.
Vested interests will drive economies to breakdown and then come in and hoover up the stock at rock bottom prices - and when they have gorged themselves the 'confidence' will miraculously return, prices will rocket and everyone (except Joe Ordinary) will be laughing.
I believe it was Thatcher who insisted that the way of the 'market' was the only way. Well I'm glad she lived long enough to see just what a pile of sh*t her legacy is.
I now expect a flood of posts blaming Gordon Brown and Tony Blair for the problem but the foundations for disaster were laid back in the 80's when we gave free reign to all the spivs and chancers to fill their boots.
And what do we have now? Well "choice" is a thing that I am always told the free market gives me. Choice as to who overcharges me for my energy and transport costs. Choice as to which bank can shaft me with charges. Choice as to where I can be overcharged for dental treatment. The list goes on.
Basically we have signed the whole of the economy over to those least geared to manage it responsibly - and we politicians who are there because they couldn't get a job elsewhere. We're done!!!!!”
by PR4Photos
Monday, November 14 2011, 11:42AM
“Hilarious. 'We're not here to offer solutions'. So if you have don't have anything to offer, go away and come back when you do. What a pointless protest!”
by Red_Diesel
Monday, November 14 2011, 10:55AM
“The Exeter protesters have my support.
And I hope next Sunday the sermon will cover things like rich men and eyes of needles, or throwing the money changers out of the temple.”