Time to leave - Occupy London given the boot
I was back at the High Court today for the final decision on the Occupy London protesters, and it was bad news, for them anyway.
They lost an appeal against the City of London’s bid to boot them off St Paul's and after four moths of wrangling with the British justice system, today really did spell curtains.
Of course they vowed to go to the European Court of Human Rights, but as far as the British judiciary goes, this is the end of the road.
They wanted to make a point, make a stand against the evil capitalist system, I think they have done that and it is time to leave.
Outside the court even their lawyer Michael Paget hinted they had made their point, and this was the end of the fight. But something told me they were going to drag it out to the oh so bitter end.
They lost an appeal against the City of London’s bid to boot them off St Paul's and after four moths of wrangling with the British justice system, today really did spell curtains.
Of course they vowed to go to the European Court of Human Rights, but as far as the British judiciary goes, this is the end of the road.
They wanted to make a point, make a stand against the evil capitalist system, I think they have done that and it is time to leave.
Outside the court even their lawyer Michael Paget hinted they had made their point, and this was the end of the fight. But something told me they were going to drag it out to the oh so bitter end.
I have followed this story from the very first day, and not a week has gone by that my opinion hasn’t changed.
I respect their right to protest, but on the other hand I feel they simply don’t know what they are protesting about.
I also think it is time they respected the City of London's reasons for seeking to boot them out - they are blocking a public highway.
Sticking two fingers up at the establishment, setting up a scruffy, smelly campsite outside one of London’s most respected landmarks and refusing to budge for many of them, I think, has all been a bit of a jolly.
I have met a few with an idea of their purpose, and with respect for those who disagree with the way they have thrown their cause into the spotlight.
But today, sadly, my opinion reverted back to where it was at the beginning of this fiasco – go home, have a shower, and get a proper job.
There is an element within the camp that really does the Occupy London movement no favours at all.
Let me explain.
After the decision was handed down I dashed outside to get reaction from the protesters who had gathered amid the flashing lights and cameras. And they were an angry lot today.
Gone were the willing explanations and offers of cups of tea, and out came the “no comments” and hands shoved in front of the camera.
To be fair, the lead protester Tammy Samede made a speech, she has always been willing and polite.
But as I said, it is the rabble that I managed to get hold of today that sour the apple cart for the rest who want to maintain a dignified image.
I spoke to “Mark”, well I say spoke, he held up a notice that read “Occupy Won’t Go Away” - this was the only comment he was willing to make.
I asked him what that meant, “will you refuse to move from St Paul’s?”, “Where will you go?”, “What is the next step?”.
He stared at me blankly and shook the sign at me.
Bored by this stage and getting increasingly irritated by the gaggle of tattooed, mask-wearing, giggling friends that had gathered around him, I thanked him and wandered off hoping to find someone who would answer my questions.
Really guys, I know you hate the media, but that sort of thing just gets our backs up, as do the actions of the next protester I stumbled across.
There was an incident on the court steps where, as part of his demonstration, a man collapsed at the point he procalimed “we will all die”.
After a couple of minutes he failed to get up, and what started as a bit of a dramatic stunt appeared to have gone horribly wrong.
The ambulance arrived and I decided to take photos of the crowds – standard journalist practice I assure you.
No sooner had I raised my iPhone to eye level than across the crowd came the holler “Oi, no photos”.
The police? Paramedics? God?
Not quite, a self-styled officer of the peace in the shape of an unkempt, sour-faced young lady with the word “Josh” tattooed on her neck.
“Excuse me madam?” I asked as she marched over and shoved a greasy paw into my face.
“I said NO pictures.”
Now the last time I checked, this section of the Strand outside the Royal Courts of Justice is a public highway, and I can take pictures of what or whosoever I please.
“I’m sorry madam,” I replied, “This is a public highway and I can take pictures.”
“I don’t care she replied, no pictures.”
Public Highway, don’t care, where have I heard that before?
On a lighter note I met 77-year-old Mary McMillen (left) outside the court.
She had taken full advantage of the kerfuffle to come down and protest against “all animal abuse, all people abuse and forest abuse”.
I respect their right to protest, but on the other hand I feel they simply don’t know what they are protesting about.
I also think it is time they respected the City of London's reasons for seeking to boot them out - they are blocking a public highway.
Sticking two fingers up at the establishment, setting up a scruffy, smelly campsite outside one of London’s most respected landmarks and refusing to budge for many of them, I think, has all been a bit of a jolly.
I have met a few with an idea of their purpose, and with respect for those who disagree with the way they have thrown their cause into the spotlight.
But today, sadly, my opinion reverted back to where it was at the beginning of this fiasco – go home, have a shower, and get a proper job.
There is an element within the camp that really does the Occupy London movement no favours at all.
Let me explain.
After the decision was handed down I dashed outside to get reaction from the protesters who had gathered amid the flashing lights and cameras. And they were an angry lot today.
Gone were the willing explanations and offers of cups of tea, and out came the “no comments” and hands shoved in front of the camera.
To be fair, the lead protester Tammy Samede made a speech, she has always been willing and polite.
But as I said, it is the rabble that I managed to get hold of today that sour the apple cart for the rest who want to maintain a dignified image.
I spoke to “Mark”, well I say spoke, he held up a notice that read “Occupy Won’t Go Away” - this was the only comment he was willing to make.
I asked him what that meant, “will you refuse to move from St Paul’s?”, “Where will you go?”, “What is the next step?”.
Bored by this stage and getting increasingly irritated by the gaggle of tattooed, mask-wearing, giggling friends that had gathered around him, I thanked him and wandered off hoping to find someone who would answer my questions.
Really guys, I know you hate the media, but that sort of thing just gets our backs up, as do the actions of the next protester I stumbled across.
There was an incident on the court steps where, as part of his demonstration, a man collapsed at the point he procalimed “we will all die”.
After a couple of minutes he failed to get up, and what started as a bit of a dramatic stunt appeared to have gone horribly wrong.
The ambulance arrived and I decided to take photos of the crowds – standard journalist practice I assure you.
No sooner had I raised my iPhone to eye level than across the crowd came the holler “Oi, no photos”.
The police? Paramedics? God?
Not quite, a self-styled officer of the peace in the shape of an unkempt, sour-faced young lady with the word “Josh” tattooed on her neck.
“Excuse me madam?” I asked as she marched over and shoved a greasy paw into my face.
“I said NO pictures.”
Now the last time I checked, this section of the Strand outside the Royal Courts of Justice is a public highway, and I can take pictures of what or whosoever I please.
“I’m sorry madam,” I replied, “This is a public highway and I can take pictures.”
“I don’t care she replied, no pictures.”
Public Highway, don’t care, where have I heard that before?
She had taken full advantage of the kerfuffle to come down and protest against “all animal abuse, all people abuse and forest abuse”.
She even pulled out a plastic knife with Boris Johnson’s head impaled on it.
Good for you Mary, you’ve got my vote.
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