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Activists gather at climate camp Activists gather at climate camp
(about 1 hour later)
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.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".
They (protesters) could not have picked anywhere more middle class than Blackheath A local residentThey (protesters) could not have picked anywhere more middle class than Blackheath A local resident
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.
'Capitalism is crisis''Capitalism is crisis'
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?"
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, and is also within the floodplains of the River Thames, 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, and is also within the floodplains of the River Thames, 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.
Protesters have started setting up camp at the locationProtesters have started setting up camp at the location
Demonstrators have begun to erect tents for the seven-day camp, which has a banner carrying the words "Capitalism is crisis" at its entrance.Demonstrators have begun to erect tents 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."
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."
More than 50 homes overlook the location which is a short distance away from Blackheath Village. More than 50 homes overlook the half-a-hectare sized heath which is a short distance away from Blackheath Village.
A 40-year-old woman who lives nearby said: "I just hope it's going to be peaceful.A 40-year-old woman who lives nearby said: "I just hope it's going to be peaceful.
"They could not have picked anywhere more middle class than Blackheath."They could not have picked anywhere more middle class than Blackheath.
"We have got a view right across the camp and I guess we will be looking at hundreds of students for the rest of the week.""We have got a view right across the camp and I guess we will be looking at hundreds of students for the rest of the week."
Revolutionary legacyRevolutionary legacy
The heath was the setting for the Peasant's Revoltuion, which saw thousands of protesters demonstrate against taxes more than 700 years ago.The heath was the setting for the Peasant's Revoltuion, which saw thousands of protesters demonstrate against taxes more than 700 years ago.
The site hosted Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion against King Henry VI in 1450, which was followed by the Battle of Deptford Bridge in 1497 during which Cornish rebels camped at the site.The site hosted Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion against King Henry VI in 1450, which was followed by the Battle of Deptford Bridge in 1497 during which Cornish rebels camped at the site.
Apart from its revolutionary legacy, the heath is also the starting point for London Marathon.Apart from its revolutionary legacy, the heath is also the starting point for London Marathon.
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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