2. But Aren’t You All Just Unemployed Unwashed Marxist Tree-Hugging Anarchists ?
We are a surprising mix of people, actually. Yes, working class and middle-class (more on that later). We are all ages and cultures. A surprising proportion of us work and pay tax. We have a variety of political aims. Come down and see us if you want visual confirmation.
Just please don’t trust the media, or individuals, who have never seen us in the (well-showered) flesh when they call us ALL hippies, benefit claimants, lefties or trouble-makers. Some of us are. Most of us are not. Come see for yourself.
3. But I Hear Only 20% of Your Tents Are Occupied At Night ?
Well, first they said we were all unemployed benefit claimants, then they complain when some of us have jobs to go to, and sleep to catch up on. The percentage of tents unoccupied at night is uncertain as the police have not actually issued the IR images - but certainly, some are vacant.
Some have been left by well-wishing protesters who need to go home.
Others are empty when their occupants are volunteering, discussing, or in other tents. I don’t know what time the police flew over the encampments (nobody does - they won’t say) but we’re nattering late into the small hours, here.
During the day, with so many activities, few of the tents are actually occupied. but there are quite a few day-trippers among our supporters. They have jobs, children, even cats. You wouldn’t see a kitten unfed, would you?
It’s not as if we demand everyone stay 24 hours for the duration. Just being here one day, and getting involved, is more of an effort than that made by those sitting at home.
Infra red images taken by a police helicopter during the early hours show that only around 20 of the 200 tents on the encampment actually have people staying in them.
The Daily Telegraph has shot its own video of the St Paul’s camp using thermal imaging equipment which appears to confirm these claims.
The footage, shot at 1230am on Tuesday Oct 25 shows a multitude of darkly coloured tents around the courtyard indicating those that were unoccupied.
It would appear most of the protesters are heading home to sleep in their own beds at night rather than staying onsite.
On Monday the revelation was described as a “charade” and pressure was growing on the church and other authorities to evict the camp.
