Canon Dr Giles Fraser, of St Paul's Cathedral, resigns over OLSE
When the Occupy London Stock Exchange protesters found "no room at the inn" they ended up at the front of St Paul's Cathedral. In true Christian spirit the Canon of St Paul's, Giles Fraser, asked the police to desist from moving the protesters on. This resulted in a make shift camp being erected outside of the Cathedral, and ultimately to St Paul's having to close its doors to the public. Such a closure has not happened since the last World War.
When the Occupy London Stock Exchange protesters found "no room at the inn" they ended up at the front of St Paul's Cathedral. In true Christian spirit the Canon of St Paul's, Giles Fraser, asked the police to desist from moving the protesters on. This resulted in a make shift camp being erected outside of the Cathedral, and ultimately to St Paul's having to close its doors to the public. Such a closure has not happened since the last World War.
Sympathy for the protesters has been mixed. Some campers appear to be occupying part-time, that is bobbing of to work during the day and sleeping elsewhere at night. Whilst this may not be in the true spirit of Occupy there are no hard and fast rules on protests. Protesters will always include a mixture of committed believers, hangers on and trouble-makers.
The media has certainly tried to combat OLSE by first ignoring them and then reporting on selected occurrences. It now seems though that the law will be used to move the St Paul's protesters on. Canon Fraser has resigned today as he cannot condone possible violence nor agree with such a legal action.
Today, October 27, 2011, the situation came to a head. With mounting pressure from the church to get the protesters moved on Canon Fraser was out on a limb. It seems that at least one person, Canon Fraser, is prepared to stand by his principles.
The protesters have compiled with health and safety regulations so St Paul's should be able to open up for business again now anyway. They are losing revenue daily whilst the doors stay closed. Perhaps they just want the protesters out of sight and out of mind. Either way they have lost a good man in Canon Fraser.
The media has certainly tried to combat OLSE by first ignoring them and then reporting on selected occurrences. It now seems though that the law will be used to move the St Paul's protesters on. Canon Fraser has resigned today as he cannot condone possible violence nor agree with such a legal action.
Today, October 27, 2011, the situation came to a head. With mounting pressure from the church to get the protesters moved on Canon Fraser was out on a limb. It seems that at least one person, Canon Fraser, is prepared to stand by his principles.
The protesters have compiled with health and safety regulations so St Paul's should be able to open up for business again now anyway. They are losing revenue daily whilst the doors stay closed. Perhaps they just want the protesters out of sight and out of mind. Either way they have lost a good man in Canon Fraser.
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