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| Occupy London protests in financial district | Occupy London protests in financial district |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Up to 3,000 people are demonstrating in London's financial district as part of a worldwide protest against alleged corporate greed. | Up to 3,000 people are demonstrating in London's financial district as part of a worldwide protest against alleged corporate greed. |
| Demonstrators inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement are protesting outside St Paul's Cathedral. | Demonstrators inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement are protesting outside St Paul's Cathedral. |
| Scotland Yard said three people had been arrested. | |
| Organisers were aiming to set up a protest camp outside the London Stock Exchange in Paternoster Square in the City, but were prevented by the police. | Organisers were aiming to set up a protest camp outside the London Stock Exchange in Paternoster Square in the City, but were prevented by the police. |
| After protesters returned to St Paul's Churchyard, the square in front of the cathedral, police prevented more people trying to join the protest by cutting off access points. | After protesters returned to St Paul's Churchyard, the square in front of the cathedral, police prevented more people trying to join the protest by cutting off access points. |
| Several hundred protesters congregated behind the police lines and heckled officers for not allowing anyone through. | Several hundred protesters congregated behind the police lines and heckled officers for not allowing anyone through. |
| Police at the scene denied that a "kettling" technique had been put in place to close protesters in and said they were free to leave the square. | Police at the scene denied that a "kettling" technique had been put in place to close protesters in and said they were free to leave the square. |
| The Metropolitan Police said there had been no major disorder. | |
| Two of the arrests were for assaults on police officers, the other was for public disorder. | |
| There were jeers and boos from the crowds of protesters who wanted to get into Paternoster Square where the London Stock exchange is based as the demonstration got under way just after midday. | There were jeers and boos from the crowds of protesters who wanted to get into Paternoster Square where the London Stock exchange is based as the demonstration got under way just after midday. |
| They were held back by lines of police officers and locked gates. | They were held back by lines of police officers and locked gates. |
| Some led a march around the square before returning to the steps of St Paul's Cathedral where most have spent the rest of the afternoon chanting and waving their cardboard banners in the autumn sunshine. | Some led a march around the square before returning to the steps of St Paul's Cathedral where most have spent the rest of the afternoon chanting and waving their cardboard banners in the autumn sunshine. |
| Others have brought along giant speakers to play music on or their own guitars and drums. | Others have brought along giant speakers to play music on or their own guitars and drums. |
| The protest has been peaceful so far. Many of the protesters say they intend to stay put late into the night. | The protest has been peaceful so far. Many of the protesters say they intend to stay put late into the night. |
| The BBC's Maddy Savage at the scene said demonstrators included students, unemployed graduates, pensioners and even passing tourists who have warmed to the campaign. | The BBC's Maddy Savage at the scene said demonstrators included students, unemployed graduates, pensioners and even passing tourists who have warmed to the campaign. |
| She said: "They may not be a coherent group but they appear united in their goal - to criticise the UK's bankers and speak for what they describe as 'people over profit'." | She said: "They may not be a coherent group but they appear united in their goal - to criticise the UK's bankers and speak for what they describe as 'people over profit'." |
| Organisers of the 15 October worldwide protests said on their website that the aim was to "initiate the global change we want". | Organisers of the 15 October worldwide protests said on their website that the aim was to "initiate the global change we want". |
| They say rallies would be held in 951 cities in 82 countries. | They say rallies would be held in 951 cities in 82 countries. |
| Smaller demonstrations have taken place in other cities across Britain, including Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh. | Smaller demonstrations have taken place in other cities across Britain, including Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh. |
| Demonstrators in London were planning to set up a protest camp outside St Paul's Cathedral in a move inspired by Occupy Wall Street, which has seen a large gathering of people camp in New York's financial district since September. | Demonstrators in London were planning to set up a protest camp outside St Paul's Cathedral in a move inspired by Occupy Wall Street, which has seen a large gathering of people camp in New York's financial district since September. |
| One protester, Peter, said: "We're occupying and opening up this space directly next door to an institution which gambled with our economy recklessly and criminally." | One protester, Peter, said: "We're occupying and opening up this space directly next door to an institution which gambled with our economy recklessly and criminally." |
| He added: "My intention is to stay here as long as possible and I think many people feel the same way." | He added: "My intention is to stay here as long as possible and I think many people feel the same way." |
| BBC reporter Phil Bodmer said there were about 2,000 to 3,000 protesters taking part, however police were unable to give an official estimate. | BBC reporter Phil Bodmer said there were about 2,000 to 3,000 protesters taking part, however police were unable to give an official estimate. |
| Our reporter said it was a "good natured, noisy demonstration" with a "fairly sizeable" police presence. | Our reporter said it was a "good natured, noisy demonstration" with a "fairly sizeable" police presence. |
| Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, gave a speech to one group of protesters about anonymity after he was challenged by police for wearing a mask as he walked to the protest. | Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, gave a speech to one group of protesters about anonymity after he was challenged by police for wearing a mask as he walked to the protest. |
| He said: "I ask that all of you demand that foreign bank accounts be opened up and made transparent, the same way that I today have been forced to be made transparent." | He said: "I ask that all of you demand that foreign bank accounts be opened up and made transparent, the same way that I today have been forced to be made transparent." |
| A spokeswoman for the protesters said Mr Assange then gave a speech where he talked about Wikileaks, police oppression and the current economic situation. | A spokeswoman for the protesters said Mr Assange then gave a speech where he talked about Wikileaks, police oppression and the current economic situation. |
| One protester, Anna, said she was hopeful that the demonstration would have an impact on governments and big businesses. | One protester, Anna, said she was hopeful that the demonstration would have an impact on governments and big businesses. |
| "These things take time. If they don't listen today, then we will stay here until they listen. This movement is not going away, this is a building global movement. | "These things take time. If they don't listen today, then we will stay here until they listen. This movement is not going away, this is a building global movement. |
| "There's a shift in the world - you don't have to be a genius to see our system's broken." | "There's a shift in the world - you don't have to be a genius to see our system's broken." |
| Are you taking part in the Occupy London protests? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you taking part in the Occupy London protests? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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