Anti-Capitalist Protesters, Here To Stay?

The anti-capitalist protest at St.Paul's is celebrating after successfully securing Finsbury Square as a second campsite on Saturday. Their progress adds to their confidence and the campsite's united decision to remain until Christmas. St.Paul's cathedral welcomed the campsite originally, but now there are fears court action will remove the site. The chancellor of St Paul's has also resigned in connection to the protesters presence, but activists are still determined to stay. Recently, various media allegations have painted a very negative picture of the protesters as often absent, uncommitted, trouble makers. Claims of using thermal cameras, health and safety concerns to rumours of violence have been used to turn public opinion and divert from their cause. At a general meeting the two main points decided by the protesters, were for equality and transparency (of any large corporations etc that make decisions on how money is spent.)

The camp is strictly peaceful, there is a well governed ban on alcohol and drugs. The camp has a very small police presence, who converse with protesters whilst simply watching, awaiting a non-existent violent outbreak. The police are welcome to the site as well as children and students to wall street bankers and journalists. The surprisingly organised campsite's are a temporary home to seemingly ordinary people, the vast majority of which have skills they apply to the campsite, be it cooking teaching or painting, to just washing up. Curious passers by and tourists, to opposing debaters stand in groups talking. Many of the protesters go to college or uni or work, returning to the camp as often as they can. Artwork, banners and newspaper clippings decorate the walls. Protesters take it in shifts to give out leaflets to the public, as well as a separate table of literature. The magazines and pamphlets detail ideas of socialist politics, and points out the flaws in capitalism and the current economy. Although the camp has sparked much debate it is still unclear how much longer they will be able to continue to 'occupy wall street London.'