With Occupy Dundee showing no signs of abandoning its sit-down protest, the minister at the neighbouring church says he has ”no problem” with the entrenched group.
Reverend David Clark, of the Steeple Church in the Nethergate, has already met and spoken to many of the activists.
He said none of his parishioners has voiced upset at the presence of the illegal campsite, which has sprung up just yards away from the historic church.
Over a week ago members of Occupy Dundee pitched their tents and unfurled banners on a parcel of green space outside the City Churches in protest at the global financial crisis.
The group look like remaining on the land for at least another two weeks. The council has formally lodged a civil complaint with the sheriff court for eviction, but it is not due to be heard until April 2.
Rev Clark said: ”It’s not our land it belongs to the council, so we don’t really have a say on what should happen. But from our point of view there has been no problem or difficulty with the protesters. Members of the church have had good discussions with the group.”
Parishioners have temporarily moved from what is one of Dundee’s oldest churches as an ambitious £3.5 million transformation of the building continues. As a result, the presence of Occupy Dundee has had little impact on the day-to-day running of the church, according to Rev Clark.
”The only point I would make, as a member of the public, is that I don’t know how long an occupation has to last before the point is made,” he added.
Ahead of the extensive renovation, the church had sought permission from the council to place three Portacabins on the land where the protesters now sit.
”The council has been consistent in its approach and has made clear what it doesn’t want this land used for,” he said. ”We had requested the Portacabins, which are on the Overgate side of the building, be placed where the campsite now sits. But the council refused and we don’t have a problem with them wanting to move the Occupy group.”
Around 800 people have added their names to a petition since the group moved in to the city centre. Members say they will continue their peaceful protest for as long as possible.
The main messages they hope to get across to the public include the right to housing, the need for stable and affordable food prices and employment issues.