Occupy protesters in Haggerston Park served eviction notice

Haggerston Park Occupy protestor Kay Badibanga. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Occupy protesters who have set up camp in Haggerston Park have been served with an eviction notice.

Around 15 people live in the circle of tents, which sprung up near the pond in the south-west corner of the park on 12 May, after protesters were evicted from Mile End Park earlier in the month.

Cllr Sophie Linden, the council’s Cabinet Member for Crime, Sustainability and Customer Services said: “Haggerston Park is public open space that belongs to the people of Hackney. As with any unauthorised use of this kind we have started the necessary legal processes to move them on as soon as possible.”

The eviction hearing will take place at 10am on 24 May at the Royal Courts of Justice, on the Strand.

The anti-capitalist protesters were camped in Mile End Park for nearly six weeks before being evicted by the police earlier this month after complaints from local residents.

The protesters were accused of damaging the habitat for wildlife in Tower Hamlets Cemetery by collecting firewood, although they deny the claims.

Around 15 people live in the nomadic camp permanently but the Haggerston site buzzes with people stopping by for a cup of tea and a slice of coconut cake.

When asked why they had chosen to camp here, protester Tim said: “Hackney is welcoming and up for a chat. It is informal whereas somewhere like West Kensington is formal.”

Tim, who has been living in a tent since he joined the occupation of St Paul’s in October 2011, said some residents in Mile End has told him they felt safer walking through the park at night and knowing the campers were there.

Jim L, whom others refer to as ‘the general’ although he insists the movement has no leaders, said: “Living in a tent is not a lifestyle choice for me, it is a protest. I have joined the movement because I want to make a difference.”

Protesters see the occupation as having a social as well as political role, and say they try to help homeless people and others who come to them.

Tim said: “Occupy is a movement for everybody. We are an outreach movement more than anything.”

The campers are keen to stress they cannot help everyone, but say they aim to provide a support network for free for anyone in need.

Jim L said: “A lot of people are broken because the system they are living under is broken.”

He said the Occupy movement’s ethos can be seen in the organisation of street parties for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; it encourages people to spearhead the running of their community rather than leaving it to the state.

Jim L added: “That’s what Occupy is. It’s a street party for the human race.”