NO CHRISTMAS BREAK FOR "OCCUPATION" CAMPAIGN IN LEICESTER

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

No Christmas break for "Occupation" campaign in Leicester

It started with just one tent – but five weeks on, more than 40 people are taking it in turns to camp in Leicester's High Street in protest against corporate greed.

Anti-capitalist protesters say the Occupy Leicester camp will get bigger as we approach Christmas and New Year.

The camp appeared in the city after similar protests in New York and London, which began in September and October respectively.

The Leicester camp is growing and its supporters don't plan to break off for Christmas.

Dane Smith, 23, from Leicester, has been part of the group since it started.

Dane, an unemployed film studies graduate, believes the movement so far has been "a terrific success".

He said: "This weekend will be five weeks since we came here which is a massive achievement.

"What we're looking at now is the future and how we can carry on."

Dane was reluctant to discuss future plans further, but said "new tactics" would allow more of its members to stay at the camp for a prolonged period of time.

About 40 people are now sleeping at the camp on a regular basis, with about a quarter of that number staying there most nights.

Dane said they also had big plans for a protest today, but would not give any more details.

He said: "We've got new tactics which are secret at the moment but should help us keep going."

Dane plans to spend just four or five hours with his family on Christmas Day before returning to the camp.

He said: "They're pretty used to my protesting and activism, so there's no real surprise."

The group has regular contact with similar movements in London and Nottingham.

One Nottingham member has transferred to spend most of their time in Leicester, while one from the London camp spends most weekends here.

Warehouse worker Mark Smith, from Leicester, joined the protest after its first week.

He sleeps at the High Street base and only leaves the camp to work his shifts.

Mark, 41, from Leicester, is unfazed by sleeping in the cold weather because, as a keen angler, he has already been doing it for 32 years.

He believes the camp's message is gaining momentum.

He said: "There are more people supporting us because they understand why we're here.

"We want to end Government corruption and force the banks to stop throwing our money away."

Away from the camp, Mark says he has received support from his 14-year-old son as well as a work colleague.

He said: "I've only mentioned it to one person at work and they were supportive of us.

"My son's been a couple of times but he's not going to sleep down here."

The group said most passers-by were friendly and happy to debate but they still encounter trouble with drunks on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mark said: "The police and council have been great with us."I'm just hoping it gets us as far as it can, because the longer we stay here the better chance we have of making a difference."