Occupiers from various UK sites will converge on Sheffield this weekend for the 3rd National Occupy Conference. The gathering will use sites including the city’s Occupy camp and ‘Citadel of Hope’ – a former Salvation Army building recently brought into public repossession by Occupy Sheffield – for discussion, entertainment, debate and networking events with a focus on alternatives to corporate rule.
A programme of speakers is scheduled for Saturday, with representation from the likes of campaign groups UK Uncut and Positive Money. The weekend will also involve workshops on issues including outreach, media engagement, non-violence and the future of the occupy movement.
The conference follows the issuing of court papers revealing efforts by the city’s Cathedral to take Occupy Sheffield to the High Court in search of an injunction on the grounds of trespass. Activists in Sheffield are putting queries to legal advisers on the issue, but have stated their belief that legal action does not present a solution to the situation. A statement from Occupy Sheffield made an appeal on the issue for compromise over conflict.