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Activists gather at climate camp Activists gather at climate camp
(10 minutes later)
About 1,000 climate change protesters are making their way to Greenwich Park in south-east London, where they plan to set up camp for a week. About 1,000 climate change protesters are making their way to Blackheath in south-east London, where they plan to set up camp for a week.
Activists had been gathering in central London waiting to swoop on a site kept secret by organisers. The protesters were informed by text and Twitter.Activists had been gathering in central London waiting to swoop on a site kept secret by organisers. The protesters were informed by text and Twitter.
The site was chosen because it is within view of the City and near the River Thames, said organisers.The site was chosen because it is within view of the City and near the River Thames, said organisers.
Police said: "We are standing off and allowing people to set up camp".Police said: "We are standing off and allowing people to set up camp".
Greenwich Park, in clear sight of the London City skyline which symbolises the financial and corporate centres of power Climate camp statementGreenwich Park, in clear sight of the London City skyline which symbolises the financial and corporate centres of power Climate camp statement
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We are currently on our way there, making sure the site is secure and people can access it easily.A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We are currently on our way there, making sure the site is secure and people can access it easily.
"We are standing off and allowing people to set up camp as easily and freely as possible"."We are standing off and allowing people to set up camp as easily and freely as possible".
The first group of activists reached the site off Shooters Hill on bicycles just after 1430 BST.The first group of activists reached the site off Shooters Hill on bicycles just after 1430 BST.
Others are arriving at the site using trains and the Underground.Others are arriving at the site using trains and the Underground.
A statement from organisers said: "From this heath in 1381, preacher John Ball gave what was probably the country's first speech against class oppression.A statement from organisers said: "From this heath in 1381, preacher John Ball gave what was probably the country's first speech against class oppression.
"What better place to continue the struggle for social justice and the fight against climate change?""What better place to continue the struggle for social justice and the fight against climate change?"
'Capitalism is crisis''Capitalism is crisis'
Giving the reason for the location the group said: "Greenwich Park, in clear sight of the London City skyline which symbolises the financial and corporate centres of power, is also within the floodplains of the Thames river, which is at risk of bursting its banks as climate change escalates." The group said it chose the location as it was "in clear sight of the London City skyline which symbolises the financial and corporate centres of power, is also within the floodplains of the Thames river, which is at risk of bursting its banks as climate change escalates."
More than 20 vans and lorries were already in place and a temporary wire fence has been erected at the site by camp organisers.More than 20 vans and lorries were already in place and a temporary wire fence has been erected at the site by camp organisers.
Demonstrators have begun to erect tents and other infrastructure for the seven-day camp, which has a banner carrying the words "Capitalism is crisis" at its entrance.Demonstrators have begun to erect tents and other infrastructure for the seven-day camp, which has a banner carrying the words "Capitalism is crisis" at its entrance.
Lizzie Jacobs, an activist, said: "The 'swoop' is one of the most inspiring events to take part in, but it's only the beginning."Lizzie Jacobs, an activist, said: "The 'swoop' is one of the most inspiring events to take part in, but it's only the beginning."
Protesters have started setting up camp at the locationProtesters have started setting up camp at the location
Henry Twigger, 41, who travelled to the camp from his home in Nottingham said: "It's certainly big enough for the 3,000 people we are expecting."Henry Twigger, 41, who travelled to the camp from his home in Nottingham said: "It's certainly big enough for the 3,000 people we are expecting."
Law student Kirsty Schneeberger, 24, who cycled from her home in Camden, north London, said: "There is a fence because there are people all over the place and it marks out the camp and enables us to control who is able to come here."Law student Kirsty Schneeberger, 24, who cycled from her home in Camden, north London, said: "There is a fence because there are people all over the place and it marks out the camp and enables us to control who is able to come here."
Earlier the Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Ten years ago, when I was Home Secretary, we had a Stop the City demonstration which turned into a riot.Earlier the Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Ten years ago, when I was Home Secretary, we had a Stop the City demonstration which turned into a riot.
"There was great criticism at the time then of the police, and indeed of me as the police authority for London... because it was said the demonstrators had not been contained."There was great criticism at the time then of the police, and indeed of me as the police authority for London... because it was said the demonstrators had not been contained.
"So the police are in a very difficult place - between a rock and literally a hard place. They've got some difficult judgements to make.""So the police are in a very difficult place - between a rock and literally a hard place. They've got some difficult judgements to make."
The camp will end on 2 September.The camp will end on 2 September.
Activists had repeatedly refused to reveal the final location claiming they did not trust the police. It followed accusations the Metropolitan Police were heavy-handed in policing the G20 protests.Activists had repeatedly refused to reveal the final location claiming they did not trust the police. It followed accusations the Metropolitan Police were heavy-handed in policing the G20 protests.


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