European Awakening in UK: London protest expresses solidarity with Occupy Wall Street

A protest demonstration was held outside the US Embassy in London Tuesday to express solidarity with Occupy Wall Street facing eviction from Zuccotti Park in New York.

Occupy London said it stands together with occupations all over the world, saying that they are a peaceful non-hierarchical forum and represent the 99% of people.

“We’re in agreement that the current system is undemocratic and unjust. We need alternatives,” said the campaign group encamped in the grounds of St Paul’s Cathedral in London’s financial district.

New York police carried out a pre-dawn raid Wednesday to dismantle the Occupy Wall Street camp set up in September, arresting more than 70 people.

But lawyers obtained a restraining order to prevent the city authorities and the owners of Zuccotti Park from evicting the protesters and stopping them from being prevented from returning.

“Such a movement cannot be evicted. Some politicians may physically remove us from public spaces — our spaces — and, physically, they may succeed. But we are engaged in a battle over ideas,” Occupy Wall Street protester said.

“Our idea is that our political structures should serve us, the people — all of us, not just those who have amassed great wealth and power. We believe that is a highly popular idea, and that is why so many people have come so quickly to identify with Occupy Wall Street and the 99% movement,” it said.

The occupations are part of a global movement that has taken place in at least 900 cities in over 80 countries around the world in protest against the global financial system.