Anti-cuts protesters set to occupy Trafalgar Square

Published: 8th April, 2011
by JOSH LOEB and KARINA WHALLEY

AN ad hoc campsite could become a weekly feature in Trafalgar Square following a successful 24-hour sit-in at the weekend.

Activists, who are planning another such occupation tomorrow (Saturday), say they are protesting against the government’s “ideological cuts” programme and seeking to defend the right to peaceful protest.

Events including workshops, talks, debates, music and games will take place and messages of support have been received  from human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and MPs including John McDonnell.

Student Robbie Mack, 23, was one of around 50 people who stayed the night in the square last weekend. He said: “The group wishes to show that people can organise themselves peacefully and lawfully, without police intervention. Primarily we want to show opposition to the government’s cuts programme. After the protest on March 26 the government indicated that it was not going to change course and we want to keep the pressure up. 

“Trafalgar Square     is not the most comfortable place to sleep but people have donated pillows and carpets.” 

At a talk at the Frontline Club in Marylebone last week, film-maker Omar Robert Hamilton described returning from Egypt, where he was reporting on the uprising earlier this year, and finding protesters on the streets of London.

He said: “I flew from the protesting streets of Cairo straight into the Trafalgar Square marches. It was the same story. Civic duty has become larger.” 

However, Mr Mack said he did not want to draw comparisons with Egypt, saying: “The situation here is not the same as the situation in Egypt. We are not trying to start a revolution.”

The occupation will begin at 6.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) and will last 24 hours.