Anti-greed protesters ‘here to stay’ after action day

A movement which began on Wall Street in New York has gradually spread throughout the world, with protests being held over the weekend in hundreds of cities throughout the world.

London was predictably the focus for the UK’s version of the protest, with thousands of people gathering in the City of London area, with smaller-scale demonstrations held around the country, including ones in Leeds and Sheffield.

The area outside St Paul’s Cathedral found itself the location for the demonstrations after police moved to close the area immediately around the nearby London Stock Exchange.

Last night protesters were set to spend a second night in front of the cathedral, where around 100 tents were pitched.

Church services were carried out yesterday as normal and the protesters received the tacit backing of cathedral Canon Chancellor the Rev Dr Giles Fraser, who said he supported their democratic right to protest.

Scotland Yard confirmed it did not have any plans to move the protesters but said it was “illegal and disrespectful” to camp in front of the cathedral.

The force said it had made efforts to ensure protest was largely peaceful, with eight arrests having been made.

A spokesman for the protesters said the demonstration was to “challenge the bankers and the financial institutions which recklessly gambled our economy.

“This occupation and 20 other occupations all around the UK have been directly inspired by what’s happening all across America and especially Wall Street,” he added.

Spyro Van Leemnen, a supporter of Occupy London Stock Exchange, was among those camping outside St Paul’s.

The 27-year-old, originally from Greece, said the protests were the “initial stage of the movement to start a dialogue” and said it was about “democratising the financial system”.

He added: “We’re going to stay until the morning and the next day and the day after – as long as it takes until the Government hears our voice and says they are going to change things.”

One supporter, Anna Jones, claimed “a disproportionate amount of force” was used by police against protesters outside St Paul’s.

She said: “We have seen people, kettled, grabbed and thrown off the steps forcefully by the police. This was entirely unnecessary. None came here to have a fight with the police.”

A Met spokesman said a “containment” was carried out in the churchyard “prevent a breach of the peace”.

Well-known activists including Julian Assange and Peter Tatchell were among the protesters in London on Saturday.

Mr Assange, creator of the WikiLeaks website, addressed the crowds on the steps of St Paul’s.

A spokeswoman for the protesters said he had been challenged by police for wearing a mask as he walked to the protest.

She said: “As I understand it, Julian initially refused to take the mask off.

“Police detained him for 15 minutes before letting him go.

“He then gave a speech in which he talked about WikiLeaks, police oppression and the current economic situation.”

Mr Alexander said activists had been collecting money to contribute towards food, structures, a power generator and for the general running of the campsite since Saturday.

Asked about the movement’s plans going forward he said: “We’re planning to stay here indefinitely, we’ll stay here and make a stand. I think we’ll have more people join.”

Activists carried banners with slogans such as “We are the 99 per cent”, referring to so much of the world’s wealth being held by one per cent of the world’s population, and “Bankers got a bailout, we got sold out”.

A supervisor from a shop near the campsite who asked to remain unnamed said the protest was costing them clients and income.

He said: “Our clientele is largely made up of tourists visiting the cathedral, so this is obviously having an effect because not as many are coming through.

“The protest has so far been very peaceful and we haven’t had any problem with protesters.

“There have been some issues. Until portable toilets were put up yesterday, people were going to the toilet on the street.”

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