Occupy Sydney stands defiant

The Occupy Sydney movement has defied both police and critics by planning a future occupation and mass rally.
The protest movement calling for democratic equality and the end of corporate greed, was forcibly removed from Martin Place early Sunday morning.
Occupy Sydney has since gathered at the University of Technology Sydney and Victoria Park in Camperdown to discuss the future of the movement.
Spokesperson for the movement and high school teacher Tim Davis Frank said the fact they were removed on Sunday just proves the strength of the ideas.
“What happened on Sunday is an indication of how threatening some of these ideas are,” he said. “We realise there is a lot at stake here.”
Mr Davis Frank said there was a fiery discussion on whether the protestors should return to Martin Place, despite having reached consensus to move on and find other means of spreading Occupy Sydney’s message.
“There was a heated discussion and healthy debate at the GA (General Assembly) but consensus was Occupy Sydney could not be stopped,” he said.
“The reality is we have met, talked and united an incredible group of people and that group is still withstanding. We are organising ways to get our ideas into the wider community
Mr Davis Frank said Occupy Sydney is working to organise a mass rally during Guy Fawkes day on November 5 and another occupation is planned for the near future.
Several members of the protest movement have challenged the legality of the police’s actions in dismantling their Martin Place settlements.
Sydney-based solicitor and legal advisor to Occupy Sydney Dale Mills said the police’s use of force was unacceptable considering the lack of warning protestors received of the incoming raid.
“Police said to us on a number of occasions: ‘we have no problem with you being here,’” he said.
Mr Mills said the police raised concerns about other things such as the use of tents, which the protestors addressed and they didn’t hear warning of the actual raid until Sunday morning.
Other members of the movement met on Monday outside Central Local Court to protest the arrest and trial of fellow member Annaleis du Pille on charges of resisting arrest, assaulting police and disobeying police orders.
The protest was short-lived however as Ms du Pile was released that afternoon.