a first hand account from a member of the occupy westfield protest group
On the 26th May 2012 we, a group of concerned Bradford citizens, decided to occupy the vacant Westfield site in the city centre. This action has been borne out of the increasing frustration felt by all Bradfordians due to the lack of progress by both Westfield and Bradford Council in developing the proposed shopping centre. For the best part of a decade an enormous hole has been created with no tangible sign of any positive movement. Alongside this eyesore, local businesses in the area have also been badly affected with many forced to close. We see this catastrophe as part of the ongoing decline of Bradford which also encompasses the destruction of our architectural heritage like the planned demolition of the Odeon cinema, and presided over by a council that appears to be badly out of touch with the needs of its citizens.
////////////wastefield or Our demands are:
1. We demand an audience, here, with the leader of Bradford Council and the head of regeneration. 2. We demand an audience, here, with all local MPs and councillors to stand with us and discuss how to prevent this city sinking further. 3. We demand a public enquiry be conducted into how and why Bradford has been left devastated by Bradford Council and Westfield. We, the occupiers, come from a wide and diverse range of ethnic, cultural and professional backgrounds. What we all have in common is a shared passion to see Bradford thrive and that we must act to put as much pressure on those responsible for the city’s decline so that our children and future generations can prosper. Bradford used to be known across the world as a successful city and now our name is synonymous with economic decline and perceived failure. We see Westfield as a black hole that is sucking the life, jobs and investment out of Bradford and we cannot allow this to continue any longer. To date the occupation has received widespread public support with thousands of signatures collected, almost daily media coverage and an effective social media presence. Members of the public and local businesses have selflessly donated food, drinks and other essential items necessary to continue this action. However, we constantly need this kind of support so please get in contact if you can aid us. We appeal to all local people regardless of race, gender and political affiliation to come forward and join us to help build a broader alliance of people who share our concerns. This issue affects everybody in Bradford and we believe this occupation can create a platform for debate and discussion in order to form a wider democratic consensus in relation to the city’s regeneration. Bradford has a rich history of effective and creative movements for positive change and the Council has not represented our needs effectively or transparently over the years. We demand the local authority acknowledge its mistakes to date and begin to operate in a clearer, more open manner. We urge you to write to or email your local elected MPs and councillors requesting that they come out and support this cause. Please join the “Occupy Westfield Bradford” Facebook group, follow @rosapaark on Twitter and spread our message. You can also watch our Youtube channel “OccupyWestfield”.
Mr V on behalf of Occupy Westfield
Photography by John Bollet
www.johnbolloten.co.uk www.talesfrombradistan.blogspot.co.uk