Protesters in Dundee city centre could face arrest today if they do not quit their camp site on council-owned land.
The ‘Occupy Dundee’ campaigners have been given notice to leave the plot of ground they have taken over outside City Churches by 2.30pm. Police will have the power to arrest them if they refuse.
However, one of the group has suggested that they may simply move on to another site in the city and continue their protest.
Alessandro Skarlatos-Currie said he and his colleagues had been surprised by the council’s action and felt it was ”over the top”.
The Occupy movement has seen huge numbers of people take part in demonstrations and encampments in cities across the world. The most prominent in the UK was the one outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London until it was cleared after four months.
Occupy Dundee have set up their tents on a grassed area to the south-west of City Churches. Police have been keeping a close eye on the camp and on Wednesday had the task of serving occupants with notice to quit.
Sergeant Kenny Bell said: ”They arrived on Saturday and the camp has been there ever since. It started off with two tents but has slowly grown. We have been in constant contact with their liaison officer.
”They have been given notice to quit today. When occupants were not available, the notice was served on the tents, which gives them 24 hours to quit.
”I think we have dealt with it professionally. We have got on well with the organiser and explained the legal process. It has been very peaceful.”
Another police officer present said there has been a good rapport between officers and the protesters and he hoped the situation would be resolved amicably.
A city council spokesman said: ”The protesters have been asked to leave as the first stage in a process which the city council is pursuing.”
Occupy Dundee has no leader but Mr Skarlatos-Currie has been acting as liaison with the police and as health and safety officer.
Asked if the protesters would abide by the order to quit, he said it would be a matter for discussion among the group but added: ”If push comes to shove we will go somewhere else in Dundee.”
He added: ”There are some loopholes we have identified in the document. We will go as far as we can legally. We have not been given any proof that the site is owned by the council.”
Mr Skarlatos-Currie said one of the campaigners had been taken away by police as they did not believe the information he had given them about his identity.
Explaining the reasons for the protest, he said that having seen Occupy stage protests in other cities ”we were itching for our own chance do it.”
Numbers had peaked at around 50, although there were fewer people camping overnight, but he said it was still ”early days” for the movement.
The main messages they hoped to get across to the public included the right to housing, the need for stable and affordable food prices and employment issues.
The group had also established good relations with the neighbouring church and the youth group that meets there, he said.
Reverend David Clark of the Steeple Church said: ”Their emphasis is on peace and they are willing to engage in discussions relating to the recession as product of flaws in the current economic system. They’re open to talking to people and have a valid narrative, so I wish them well.”UPDATE AT 17.32: It is understood moves to evict the protesters have been postponed. See Friday’s Courier for the latest