FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Occupy Dunedin Served With Eviction Notice

The Dunedin City Council served the Occupy Dunedin group with an eviction notice this afternoon, requesting that they vacate the Octagon by 8pm tonight.

In response, a public message has been posted on the Occupy Dunedin Facebook page, inviting members of the public to join them in the Octagon:

"We invite you all to join us in forming the ring around the Octagon to tell the council that the Octagon belongs to the people of Dunedin and remind them that they are in breach of the BILL OF RIGHTS ACT, which a bylaw should not exceed".

Occupy Wellington have posted a message calling for any local supporters to film the eviction, for the rest of the world to see.

"We trust the Police will act responsibly in serving out their orders, and not use violence to remove this peaceful assembly" says Rich, a supporter of the Occupy Wellington movement.

Occupy movement supporters nationwide are flooding the Dunedin City Council with messages of support for the Occupiers and disagreement with the eviction.

A similar response from the global Occupy movement is anticipated later this evening.

ENDS

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DCC webcam showing live footage of the Octagon:
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webcams/octagon

Text of eviction notice: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/223038/Letter-to-Members-of-Occupy-Dunedin-from-DCC-Nov-2011.pdf

Response to eviction on Occupy Dunedin Facebook page [http://www.facebook.com/messages/?action=read&tid=id.269408866429724] :
PLEASE COME TO THE OCTAGON BY 8PM TO FORM A RING AROUND THE OCTAGON. THE TRESPASS and EVICTION NOTICE TELLS US THAT THE OCTAGON BELONGS TO THE COUNCIL AND THAT THE CEO, PAUL ORDERS, IS THE OCCUPIER! We invite you all to join us in forming the ring around the Octagon to tell the council that the Octagon belongs to the people of Dunedin and remind them that they are in breach of the BILL OF RIGHTS ACT, which a bylaw should not exceed. Please text all of your friends and come down.

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