Forty protesters evicted from their St Paul’s tents who moved to a sister site at Finsbury Square have been asked to move on — by fellow activists.
With both camps fighting for the same anti-capitalist objectives, it should have been a perfect solution. But the harsh realities of overcrowding and a clash of livestyles led one Finsbury Square spokeswoman to say: “We’re a campaign for social justice, not a rehousing agency.”
The St Paul’s group were asked to find a new base after a meeting yesterday debated problems of late-night noise, drinking and drug use among the new arrivals. The Finsbury Occupiers are concerned that increased numbers and rowdiness will break the uneasy truce between them and Islington council, which owns the Moorgate parkland their camp is on.
Arthur, who spent four months at St Paul’s before moving to Finsbury Square, said: “People who couldn’t hack it at St Paul’s used to come here for peace and quiet. We brought our own energy but some of the people don’t like it. And some of the disruptive element came with us, and they didn’t like that either. Some people like to sleep and some like to stay up all night. There’s a little bit of a separation and a tiny bit of conflict. But this isn’t ‘Finsbury Square eco-village’, it’s a protest camp and they’d got a bit comfortable down here.”
Another St Paul’s exile, who gave his name as Rob, added: “We had an issue meeting and the only way we’re going to be able to resolve it is if we find another site. There are hundreds of possible places but we’re watched everywhere we go so it makes it quite difficult.” Robin, one of the original campers at Finsbury Square, said: “We’re trying to get along but it’s very difficult. The main problem is overcrowding. Why they didn’t think of somewhere else to go before this all happened is beyond me.
“We’re trying to achieve the same things but the communities have very different lifestyles and it was agreed that it would be better if the St Paul’s group set up somewhere else.”
Campaign spokeswoman Naomi said no one would be forced to leave, but added: “There were people at St Paul’s who had nowhere else to go. We want to help those people as much as we can but we’re a campaign for social justice, not a rehousing agency.”
Cash-strapped Islington council has admitted it could cost tens of thousands of pounds to evict the protesters. The Labour-run council was accused by Liberal Democrats of “dithering” on whether to take action.
