Today a large number of parents and other supporters turned out to support the occupation of Lewisham Bridge School, that has now been going on for two months. The protestors occupied the school in protest at the Council's plans to demolish the existing primary school on the site currently, and re-build it as a through school for 3 to 16 year olds. There have been many concerns expressed about this by parents, including the loss of the school as 'community school', as well as concerns re the site being potentially contaminated and there being an inadequate water supply! The Commission for Architecture and the Build Environment and English Heritage have even opposed the build! Yet Arrogantly, Lewisham Council, with its directly elected Mayor has as per usual, proceeded with its un democratic decisions.
The occupiers were to be confronted and removed today by baliffs. The police attended with great numbers and had four police vans and even a helicopter circling the school protest site!
The parents, some of whom were on the roof, and community supporters probably totalling about 100 throughout the morning, stood their ground.
After a stand off the police and baliffs must have realised that this was not going to be won easily and decided at about 11.30 to leave.
The battle is not over yet however. As the possibility is still there of the baliffs returning and a harder policing line being used by the authorities.
Chris Flood
No comments:
Post a Comment