It is appalling to read that, despite all the efforts of protesters at Occupy London to agree arrangements to avoid inconvenience to local residents, businesses or St Paul's, the City of London Corporation is going ahead with its plans to evict the camp (City gives camp 24 hours before legal action, 16 November). It is beyond irony that the most undemocratic institution in UK local government is using its powers to attempt to suppress this flowering of democratic debate within its area. Already a group of Christians and followers of other religions have committed themselves to surrounding the camp with a ring of prayer if an eviction is attempted.
Having visited the camp on its first day and on several occasions since with constituents, I support its right to protest and will also join the resistance to any attempt at eviction. I am calling on other MPs, councillors, trade unionists and any others who hold elected office in democratic organisations to join me in forming a ring of democracy around the camp in non-violent passive resistance to any eviction attempt.
John McDonnell MP
Lab, Hayes and Harlington
