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Version 5 Version 6
Police move in to evict St Paul's Occupy protesters – live Police move in to evict St Paul's Occupy protesters – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
4.22am: According to those at the scene there have been suggestions that they move on to camp at Finsbury Square - one of the group's other sites. 12.28am: Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Occupy London protest camp eviction.
Occupy London spokeswoman Kai Wargalla said: Police have moved in to remove protesters from their site at St Paul's Cathedral after the Occupy London group was last week refused permission to appeal against a high court decision to allow their eviction.

/>It's really sad what's happening today but I think we can be proud of what we've achieved. Our community is being attacked here, but we're going to reconvene and come back stronger. We're going to think about our strategy and tactics and it's going to be an interesting time. 		Ben Quinn is at the scene for us, and James Ball will be there soon.
Wargalla, 27, had been camping outside the cathedral since October. She said police gave campers five minutes' warning to clear their belongings before eviction. 12.44am: James Ball has spoken to an Occupy protester at the scene who told him that while some protesters have been quietly deflating inflatable mattresses and taking down tents, some have dragged their tents to outside the police cordon, gathered on the steps on the cathedral, and started to put up banners from raised platforms.

/>I had already taken my valuables to Finsbury Square, so I just left my tent with my blankets, sleeping bags and pillows in it. It was all thrown away by the police. 		The protester described the scene as "tense but calm", and the resistance as so far "mostly symbolic".
4.05am: It seems to be reaching the point where the situation is quietening down on the ground at St Pauls. Dave Wylie from Breaking News tweets: 12.46am: There is a live stream of the eviction on the Bambuser website, which you can see here.
Protesters have gathered as clean up ends. Police withdrawing. Peoples Mic active calling to move on. #occupylsx 12.49am: Ben Quinn has tweeted a picture of a "last stand" enclosure being assembled "using palettes and debris".
— Dave Wyllie (@journodave) February 28, 2012 12.56am: I've just spoken with Giles Fraser, who resigned as canon of St Paul's in October. He is standing outside the cathedral and said the protesters had no idea that eviction was imminent, describing the development as a "real shame":
3.46am: Ben Quinn says that legal observers at St Pauls are estimating that there have been 12 arrests. City of London press office not yet giving out figures. There's a very considerable police presence, with officers in a variety of different uniforms and bailiffs, who are dismantling the big tents as we speak.
3.35am: Of the mood James Ball says there seems to be a determination to arrest as few people as humanly possible. I can't see any violence or anything nasty, but the police presence is overwhelming."
Cathedral steps clearance continues. #occupyLSX twitter.com/jamesrbuk/stat… 1.03am: The City of London Corporation has issued a press release on the subject of the eviction in why they say:

We regret that it has come to this but the High Court Judgment speaks for itself and the Court of Appeal has confirmed that Judgment.
High Court enforcement officers employed by the City of London Corporation are undertaking the removal with the Police present to ensure public safety and maintain order. We would ask protesters to move on peaceably.
1.08am: The situation has just escalated, says James Ball, who is standing near the police cordon:
About 25-30 policemen in riot uniforms have appeared, moving in a tight huddle towards one of the raised platforms – where a red smoke flare or something similar has been released – and the steps of the cathedral."
1.18am: James Ball has this from the scene:
Few people humming the "evil empire" tune. Helmeted police still c30yds from steps. #occupyLSX
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012
3.29am: Here is some footage from this evening - just over a minute long, which helps give a sense of what began to take place just after midnight, showing tents being removed by police and bailiffs. 1.27am: Ben Quinn has been speaking to Catherine Brogan, a poet and one of the more high-profile members of the Occupy movement. She said it made sense for the authorities to come on a Monday night:
This has always been a peaceful process, and it has never looked like turning into anything other than that.
3.18am: Ben Quinn has tweeted a picture of protesters holding a banner aloft on the steps of St Pauls saying "This is just the beginning". There was talk of prayer rings and of other people coming down to support us when this happened, but many of our supporters are elderly or obviously live in areas other than the centre of London, so this would have caught them by surprise."
Chants of 'our streets' and 'the whole world is watching'interspersed with music twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta… Again emphasising the peaceful reaction of activists, she added: "There's definitely no Molotov cocktails stashed, it is very timid. I just hope the police respect that, and don't react in the way I've seen them reacting at other times, at other protests."
— Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012 1.45am: James Ball has called in from St Paul's, where he says bigger crowds have turned up outside the police cordon.
3.03am: Police have apparently been given permission to clear the steps of St Paul's, according to Ben Quinn, who has been speaking to the London Green party's Jon Bartley. It's still very peaceful with various chants going on, and someone's brought a drum.
Ben has also tweeted that the "general belief among #occupyLSX is that the figures on st Paul's balcony are police forward intelligence. Not confirmed by police." The mood is still very much one of token defiance and weary resignation. Officers I've spoken to say there have been no arrests, while the officers with helmets and shields have retreated to their vans.
It looks like there are only three or four people remaining on the wooden pallets. A relatively vociferous group of 30 or so people have started a call and response chant going [known as the 'human mic'], which goes something like: 'Everything OK. It's sad, the people have been betrayed, but they will rise. We will be reborn.'
2.52am: Ben Quinn spotted three figures on the balcony of St Paul's a little earlier: 1.58am: The BBC is reporting that some protesters have chained themselves to one of the remaining the structures on the site.
Three figures who have been on the balcony of st Paul's #occupylsx twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta… Meanwhile, here's Ben Quinn's story on the eviction, which made into the last edition of Tuesday's paper.
— Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012 Decent pictures of the eviction have been hard to come by, but here's a shot from earlier as police massed near the site.
Occupy protesters have told him these people are not known to them. 2.02am: There appears to be a standoff between police and protesters on one of the structures that is still intact. Ben Quinn has this:
2.48am: James Ball says the outer police cordon is tightening up, "meaning police are likely to move in on the pallets soon". Here comes the physical part. Shouts of 'fuck the police'
2.42am: There is now a "dead zone" around the remaining protesters, who number no more than about 12. James Ball reckons an arrest may have been made:
It's worth mentioning that the Occupy movement's "School of Ideas" in Islington has also been dismantled tonight. Arrest? Three police dragging a young man towards police vans. Unhappy shouts from crowd. #occupyLSX
2.34am:
Some more tweets from within the last few minutes from Ben and James:
Very little remains of the pallet fortress. Police moving even closer. #occupyLSX
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012
Bailiffs face to face now with last dozen or do #occupy protesters twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta… 2.17am: The BBC is now reporting that one arrest has been made.
— Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012 Meanwhile, Ben Quinn has called in to say that the eviction appears to be entering a final phase:

Riot police have set up a much tighter cordon around the 'last stand' area - some wooden pallets with at least 17 protesters barricaded in.
Legal observers are getting agitated, which they weren't earlier, and there's a bit of tension. The noise has died down and people are wondering how the last protesters will be removed."
2.29am:2.29am:
PA has some more quotes from protesters, including campaigner Gary Sherborne, 50, who dismantled his tent having been warned by police that action was imminent:PA has some more quotes from protesters, including campaigner Gary Sherborne, 50, who dismantled his tent having been warned by police that action was imminent:
We haven't got any choice and I'd rather protect the tent for another day without it being destroyed by the bailiffs.We haven't got any choice and I'd rather protect the tent for another day without it being destroyed by the bailiffs.
"I think people are resigned to the fact they might lose their tent. It's only tents and materials the injunction applies to so I think some protesters will be back here tomorrow."I think people are resigned to the fact they might lose their tent. It's only tents and materials the injunction applies to so I think some protesters will be back here tomorrow.
"I think the police have acted honourably so far. We'll just have to see how this process pans out.""I think the police have acted honourably so far. We'll just have to see how this process pans out."
PA also spoke to Vito Gomez, 31, who was standing on the 'last stand' block:PA also spoke to Vito Gomez, 31, who was standing on the 'last stand' block:
We built this after we lost the appeal so that we could stay here much longer, but we know they're going to try and take it down.We built this after we lost the appeal so that we could stay here much longer, but we know they're going to try and take it down.
"They've been acting like civilised gentlemen so far but we're going to see a fight later."They've been acting like civilised gentlemen so far but we're going to see a fight later.
"I won't move of my own accord so they're going to have to remove me.""I won't move of my own accord so they're going to have to remove me."
2.17am: The BBC is now reporting that one arrest has been made. 2.34am:
Meanwhile, Ben Quinn has called in to say that the eviction appears to be entering a final phase: Some more tweets from within the last few minutes from Ben and James:

/>Riot police have set up a much tighter cordon around the 'last stand' area - some wooden pallets with at least 17 protesters barricaded in. 		Very little remains of the pallet fortress. Police moving even closer. #occupyLSX
Legal observers are getting agitated, which they weren't earlier, and there's a bit of tension. The noise has died down and people are wondering how the last protesters will be removed."
2.02am: There appears to be a standoff between police and protesters on one of the structures that is still intact. Ben Quinn has this:
Here comes the physical part. Shouts of 'fuck the police'
James Ball reckons an arrest may have been made:
Arrest? Three police dragging a young man towards police vans. Unhappy shouts from crowd. #occupyLSX
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012
1.58am: The BBC is reporting that some protesters have chained themselves to one of the remaining the structures on the site. Bailiffs face to face now with last dozen or do #occupy protesters twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta…
Meanwhile, here's Ben Quinn's story on the eviction, which made into the last edition of Tuesday's paper. — Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012
Decent pictures of the eviction have been hard to come by, but here's a shot from earlier as police massed near the site. 2.42am: There is now a "dead zone" around the remaining protesters, who number no more than about 12.
1.45am: James Ball has called in from St Paul's, where he says bigger crowds have turned up outside the police cordon. It's worth mentioning that the Occupy movement's "School of Ideas" in Islington has also been dismantled tonight.
It's still very peaceful with various chants going on, and someone's brought a drum. 2.48am: James Ball says the outer police cordon is tightening up, "meaning police are likely to move in on the pallets soon".
The mood is still very much one of token defiance and weary resignation. Officers I've spoken to say there have been no arrests, while the officers with helmets and shields have retreated to their vans. 2.52am: Ben Quinn spotted three figures on the balcony of St Paul's a little earlier:
A relatively vociferous group of 30 or so people have started a call and response chant going [known as the 'human mic'], which goes something like: 'Everything OK. It's sad, the people have been betrayed, but they will rise. We will be reborn.' Three figures who have been on the balcony of st Paul's #occupylsx twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta…
1.27am: Ben Quinn has been speaking to Catherine Brogan, a poet and one of the more high-profile members of the Occupy movement. She said it made sense for the authorities to come on a Monday night: — Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012
This has always been a peaceful process, and it has never looked like turning into anything other than that. Occupy protesters have told him these people are not known to them.
There was talk of prayer rings and of other people coming down to support us when this happened, but many of our supporters are elderly or obviously live in areas other than the centre of London, so this would have caught them by surprise." 3.03am: Police have apparently been given permission to clear the steps of St Paul's, according to Ben Quinn, who has been speaking to the London Green party's Jon Bartley.
Again emphasising the peaceful reaction of activists, she added: "There's definitely no Molotov cocktails stashed, it is very timid. I just hope the police respect that, and don't react in the way I've seen them reacting at other times, at other protests." Ben has also tweeted that the "general belief among #occupyLSX is that the figures on st Paul's balcony are police forward intelligence. Not confirmed by police."
1.18am: James Ball has this from the scene: It looks like there are only three or four people remaining on the wooden pallets.
Few people humming the "evil empire" tune. Helmeted police still c30yds from steps. #occupyLSX 3.18am: Ben Quinn has tweeted a picture of protesters holding a banner aloft on the steps of St Pauls saying "This is just the beginning".
Chants of 'our streets' and 'the whole world is watching'interspersed with music twitter.com/BenQuinn75/sta…
— Ben Quinn (@BenQuinn75) February 28, 2012
3.29am: Here is some footage from this evening - just over a minute long, which helps give a sense of what began to take place just after midnight, showing tents being removed by police and bailiffs.
3.35am: Of the mood James Ball says there seems to be a determination to arrest as few people as humanly possible.
Cathedral steps clearance continues. #occupyLSX twitter.com/jamesrbuk/stat…
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) February 28, 2012
1.08am: The situation has just escalated, says James Ball, who is standing near the police cordon: 3.46am: Ben Quinn says that legal observers at St Pauls are estimating that there have been 12 arrests. City of London press office not yet giving out figures.
About 25-30 policemen in riot uniforms have appeared, moving in a tight huddle towards one of the raised platforms – where a red smoke flare or something similar has been released – and the steps of the cathedral." 4.05am: It seems to be reaching the point where the situation is quietening down on the ground at St Pauls. Dave Wylie from Breaking News tweets:
1.03am: The City of London Corporation has issued a press release on the subject of the eviction in why they say: Protesters have gathered as clean up ends. Police withdrawing. Peoples Mic active calling to move on. #occupylsx

/>We regret that it has come to this but the High Court Judgment speaks for itself and the Court of Appeal has confirmed that Judgment. 		— Dave Wyllie (@journodave) February 28, 2012
High Court enforcement officers employed by the City of London Corporation are undertaking the removal with the Police present to ensure public safety and maintain order. We would ask protesters to move on peaceably. 4.22am: According to those at the scene there have been suggestions that they move on to camp at Finsbury Square - one of the group's other sites.
12.56am: I've just spoken with Giles Fraser, who resigned as canon of St Paul's in October. He is standing outside the cathedral and said the protesters had no idea that eviction was imminent, describing the development as a "real shame": Occupy London spokeswoman Kai Wargalla said:
There's a very considerable police presence, with officers in a variety of different uniforms and bailiffs, who are dismantling the big tents as we speak.
/>It's really sad what's happening today but I think we can be proud of what we've achieved. Our community is being attacked here, but we're going to reconvene and come back stronger. We're going to think about our strategy and tactics and it's going to be an interesting time.
I can't see any violence or anything nasty, but the police presence is overwhelming." Wargalla, 27, had been camping outside the cathedral since October. She said police gave campers five minutes' warning to clear their belongings before eviction.
12.49am: Ben Quinn has tweeted a picture of a "last stand" enclosure being assembled "using palettes and debris".
/>I had already taken my valuables to Finsbury Square, so I just left my tent with my blankets, sleeping bags and pillows in it. It was all thrown away by the police.
12.46am: There is a live stream of the eviction on the Bambuser website, which you can see here. 5.00am: Time for a summary of events overnight:
12.44am: James Ball has spoken to an Occupy protester at the scene who told him that while some protesters have been quietly deflating inflatable mattresses and taking down tents, some have dragged their tents to outside the police cordon, gathered on the steps on the cathedral, and started to put up banners from raised platforms. • The eviction at St Pauls began shortly after midnight. Activists were told by bailiffs that they had five minutes to pack their tents and leave or they would be obstructing a court order.
The protester described the scene as "tense but calm", and the resistance as so far "mostly symbolic". • Dozens of activists appeared ready to comply and started clearing away tents but a number of protesters immediately began building an improvised barricaded enclosure using wooden pallets and pieces of debris.
12.28am: Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Occupy London protest camp eviction. • Dozens of bailiffs waited alongside rubbish lorries and police, who had riot helmets strapped to their sides, stood by and watched as many of the protesters started taking down their shelters.
Police have moved in to remove protesters from their site at St Paul's Cathedral after the Occupy London group was last week refused permission to appeal against a high court decision to allow their eviction. • While the operation was mostly peaceful there are reports of several arrests - in some cases up to 12, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Ben Quinn is at the scene for us, and James Ball will be there soon. • Protesters in the square outside the Cathedral stressed their action was far from over and are understood to be convening at Finsbury Square where there is also an Occupy camp.
5.20am: That is all for this liveblog for now. Thanks for your company during the night. You can follow all the latest on Occupy London here.