DAY THREE

Contrary to popular belief, Climate Camp is not about fighting the police – it's about fighting climate change. Politics.co.uk

Only went up for a few hours this evening with a mate and his ten year old. The kid said it was rubbish and there was nothing for him to do. They were flying a kite outside.

Outside the Chief Policewoman was sitting drinking tea at a table with about five of the organisers and another copper. A few people coming past were photographing this spectacle but I haven't seen a picture online yet. At a bit of a distance a FIT photographer stood alone. Once inside I saw one of the masks, his line of sight to the FIT photographer and those at the table cleverly blanked by a large sheet on the fence throw something over at the tea party, possibly liquid.

I got talking to some old anarchist mates who were there who I haven't seen for ages. One of them was telling me that it was a shame that "The movement has split".

I asked him what he meant.

He said he was talking about "The Anarchists and the stupid liberals".

He went on to explain his view, that the Anarchists had the right idea about class struggle being linked to environmentalism but that the environmentalists "Didn't see the whole picture".

"How are they going to show their face in Italy when the Italian Anarchists hear things are done like this in the UK?"

Another friend of mine who was a bit pissed explained.

I think they were a bit miffed at the "drink tea with policemen" policy.

Local Newspaper News Shopper-

Many residents living by the heath seemed relaxed about the protest, with some saying they would pay the site a visit.

Web designer Stuart Mitchell, 38, of Dartmouth Terrace, said: “It doesn’t bother me really and it’s for a good cause. Let them do it.

“They’ve been really quiet. The most noise at night was from the police helicopter buzzing overhead.”

Looking out over the city, the camp is on common land where, in 1381, preacher John Ball gave what was probably the country's first speech against class oppression as part of the Peasants’ Revolt.

Jim McManus, 60, of Dartmouth Terrace said: “The issues they stand for are very important and it’s good to see that political activism is alive and well.

“It’s common land and because of the history with the peasants’ revolt it’s an ideal spot for them.”

James Allan, 77, of The Orchard, said: “This household is quite relaxed on the whole subject.

“My partner thinks it’s very good for them to get some fresh air.”

But Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock drew parallels between the “stupidity” of the campaigners and football hooligans on his website.

He told News Shopper: “I don’t think that a camp like this, which was unannounced and uninvited in an area which is a beautiful part of London is the right way to do this.

“My concern is that it actually distracts from the practical job of getting up and doing something about climate change.”


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