Occupy Charlotte founder resists efforts to oust him

Group's attorney says Tom Shope misused funds; he calls claims 'rhetoric and lies.'

By Doug Miller
Posted: Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

A battle for control over Occupy Charlotte has divided the group's founder and new members camping out on the grounds of Old City Hall.

Attorney Ken Davies this week sent a letter to founder Tom Shope informing him that the group expelled Shope for "untrustworthy" conduct. The letter accuses Shope of having opened a secret bank account and depositing contributions into it.

Davies asked Shope not to return and to hand over donations collected on behalf of Occupy Charlotte.

Shope, 47, a Charlotte gem cutter, said Friday he has done nothing wrong and that he won't quit. He accused a small group of about eight young people at the camp of being too radical and spreading "rhetoric and lies."

The conflict reflects the movement's struggle to remain inclusive and without a leader one month into the local offshoot of Occupy Wall Street, the protest that has spread across the country.

It also highlights the role of social media and the Web in the modern era of protests.

In expelling Shope, Occupy Charlotte asked him to relinquish his popular Facebook page and website, the group's main outlets of communication.

Shope refuses to do so. He also believes his opponents have tried to hack into his accounts. "They say, 'We believe whoever owns the 5,000-person Facebook should turn it over to us,' " Shope says. "That's a big focus with the young high school kids."

The squabble follows escalating tensions surrounding the group. The lack of portable bathrooms has gained attention in recent days. City officials say they're not required to allow restroom facilities on city property for demonstrations.

Campers use facilities at the transit center, government offices or nearby private businesses.

Others have questioned whether the city should allow protesters to stay on the property. Former Mayor Pat McCrory questioned what will happen when large crowds descend on Charlotte for next year's Democratic National Convention.

Davies said he is working on behalf of the group at no charge. He said friends asked him to get involved because they felt Shope was taking charge in violation of the group's principles of collective decision-making.

Davies said he shares many views of the group, which believes the economy is rigged to benefit the wealthy and corporations while ordinary citizens struggle. "I think lawyers should get involved if they think they can help make the world a better place," Davies said. "I think the two-party system isn't working. The government is dysfunctional."

Shope says he is fighting back so he can regain control and keep pushing the group's message. Technically, Shope owns Occupy Charlotte. He registered the name as a business at the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds earlier this month. Shope said he did so with the intent of maintaining control and to one day create a nonprofit of that title.

He said the hundreds of Charlotteans who turn out for weekend marches are the true membership of Occupy Charlotte, not the campers.

"I'm not trying to be a leader. It's stewardship," Shope said. "These kids have had their run and their say long enough."