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The dean of St. James Cathedral said unequivocally Thursday he would not allow Occupy Toronto protesters to remain camped out on church grounds if the city successfully evicts them from the adjoining park.

In a morning news conference, the Very Reverend Douglas Stoute noted there is “no practical division” between what portion of St. James Park belongs to the church versus the city.

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And while the church has embraced the Occupy movement’s overarching message against income disparity, he noted: “We’re not going to be taken over by either one party or another.”The court will rule by Saturday on whether the city can evict the protest group, which has been camped out in the downtown park for more than a month.

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“We will respect the decision of the court,” Dean Stoute said, noting he hoped protesters would do the same.

The dean cited concerns about potential violence in the park and said he had received complaints about the ongoing occupation. Still, he noted, the focus of the movement — the need to draw attention to growing income disparity — should remain at the forefront.

Members of Occupy Toronto have previously suggested they had the church’s blessing to remain on the grounds even if the city ordered their eviction. Member Jeff-Ray Bezaire seemed surprised when told of the morning news conference.

“Some people say things and some people go back on their word… It’s one thing to say you support something and another to turn your back on people,” he said.

National Post