The Independent London Newspaper
After eight months, last of Finsbury Square 'Occupy' protesters face eviction by bailiffs
Ronan McNern, who runs Occupation records, at the Finsbury Square camp
Published: 8 June, 2012
by PETER GRUNER
THE eight-month-long occupation of Finsbury Square by anti-capitalist protesters is expected to end this weekend when remaining campers are evicted by bailiffs working for the Town Hall.
At its peak the camp, set up as an offshoot of the St Paul’s protest, had up to 100 tents, with mobile toilets, kitchen and internet facilities.
Yesterday (Thursday) rubbish and discarded wooden structures piled up on the square, replacing tents.
A few squatters were building makeshift wooden barricades last night but the majority of those remaining are expected to leave peacefully.
Ronan McNern, 36, who runs Occupation records, a music label launched as a charity for the campers, said they were expecting the bailiffs at any time.
“About 30 per cent of the big structures are down, and anything of value has been taken away,” he said. “Many have gone and where they have a duty of care the council are trying to rehouse a few.
“There are about 30 or so people left and some will go peacefully while others may try and resist. Many of those who are left are homeless and may need help. But there are also plans for new camps elsewhere in London.”
Labour community safety chief Councillor Paul Convery said: “We have achieved a negotiated end to the occupation and are pleased that the overwhelming majority of Occupy protestors are now leaving the square.
“We are doing absolutely everything possible to ensure that the two dozen or so vulnerable, homeless people can go to a secure place of shelter rather than sleep on the street.
“The protest has now moved on and there is no reason for anyone to be camped out in Finsbury Square. We are now making plans to clean and repair the square.”
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Comments
Decimated Finsbury Square and La Paquerette
Do Islington Borough Council have plans to improve upon the wasteland that once was an area enjoyed by hundreds of office workers on sunny lunchbreaks? Although, prior to Occupy London laying waste to the site, it was a sizeable, albeit somewhat worn lawn, perhaps consideration should be given to creating a landscaped area with more seating, raised beds, etc.
It may be that IBC already have such plans in place? Or perhaps they will just returf?
Where Now?
Islington and OCCUPY have ideas in common, but they still felt the need to pay a legal team a lot of money to get the folk out of Finsbury Square: people who could/would not move due to feeling a sense of powerlessness, not to mention poverty, rootlessness and/or sickness, e.g. where do we go next?And with what?
It IS a good thing that Islington and Pilion Trust are doing what they can to place people in temporary accommodation..However, Some of the folk feel that if they are to be separated from each other, they would rather remain homeless... It is the Summer now after all
Well, it's meant to be
Andria
P.S: So what to say about the power /need for love, community and human connectedness...
when is a charity not a charity?
"Ronan McNern, 36, who runs Occupation records, a music label launched as a charity for the campers" sorry... er... charity did you say? Not according to companies house...
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