Nottingham Post: Occupy Nottingham camp to reach 100-day milestone

Tomorrow marks 100 days since anti-capitalist protesters set up the Occupy Nottingham camp in the Old Market Square. Bryan Henesey finds out how the campaigners and council view its future.

When Ashleigh Jones spoke to the Post on a cold evening back in October, he revealed his vision.

"We will be here for as long as it takes," he said, on the second day of the Occupy Nottingham camp in Old Market Square. "We want to get people to realise enough is enough."

He and around 20 others were joining in a peaceful global protest against the state of the world economy on October 15 last year.

Protests took place around the world as part of the Occupy movement, with people promising to remain camped indefinitely in various locations to show their anger over the global economic crisis.

But while a camp outside St Paul's Cathedral in London was moved on this week, the Occupy Nottingham campaigners remain firmly at the heart of the city.

With tomorrow's 100-day milestone looming, Mr Jones, 23, of Sherwood, said the protesters had discussed setting up an "exit plan" but said a date had not yet been set.

He said: "We may not be able to stay here forever, but we are still trying to raise public awareness."

Around 50 people have been staying in tents next to the fountains in the square.

Mr Jones said he'd been at the camp an average of four to five days a week, spending his free time fulfilling work as a freelance graphic designer.

He said: "We're still getting overwhelming support from people. This weekend we'll be trying to get more support. We are also looking to hold a talk in Sneinton in a couple of weeks to increase our reach."

Occupy Nottingham has been protesting against the depth of Government cuts, the influence of banks and a perceived lack of concern for issues such as the environment.

The protesters say their aim has always been to stage a peaceful protest which will continue until they have "made a difference".

Fellow co-ordinator Carl Freeman, 42, of Lenton, admitted he was surprised the protest had lasted so long.

He said: "Initially we were hoping for 24 hours but we have exceeded that.

"The message is beginning to get out there. People of all walks of life are starting to take notice and take things on board.

"We would like to see the city council being a bit more vocal with the Government. Our MPs also need to stand up for our city in Parliament."

Nottingham City Council has been in talks with the group since it set up camp outside the Council House.

The authority cannot force the protestors to decamp as the Old Market Square is classed as common land, but it has also said the protesters cannot stay there indefinitely.

A city council spokesman said: "We have said all along that although we respect their right to protest and the causes on which they have chosen to make a stand, the city centre should not be used for encampments and they cannot remain there indefinitely.

"We feel that it has come to the stage that they have got their messages across to people in Nottingham, and it is now time to think about moving on.

"We understand that the number of people regularly at the camp has reduced and have asked that the size of the camp begins to reduce accordingly, with a view to leaving the Old Market Square altogether.

"We are hopeful that their protest can come to a peaceful conclusion by mutual agreement in due course."