Protesters from Occupy London have begun a week long demonstration in Parliament Square.
The group have pitched tents and are displaying placards highlighting more action to be taken on a number of issues including the NHS, inequality and poverty.
A statement on the campaign website said: “The occupation will be the rallying point to join together from all our backgrounds, using the energy of the amazing actions that will be happening between now and then.
“It will be the start of a campaign for a sane and just democracy, that isn’t about just voting but about changing the conversation and mobilising people so those votes can really count.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/occupydemocracy?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-160586-https://twitter.com/hashtag/occupydemocracy?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#occupydemocracy</a> good turnout from far and wide took Parliment sq <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OccupyLondon?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-160586-https://twitter.com/hashtag/OccupyLondon?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#OccupyLondon</a> 40 staying overnight 9days excites <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&id=222025&p=http://t.co/iSuVfyjRIe" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-160586-http://t.co/iSuVfyjRIe" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/iSuVfyjRIe</a>— Nina Tailor (@ninatailor2) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ninatailor2/status/523255876099264512" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-160586-https://twitter.com/ninatailor2/status/523255876099264512" data-vars-event-id="c23">October 17, 2014</a>
The Met said they had tried to engage with the campaigners to discuss their plans for the occupation as byelaws in Parliament Square prevent people putting up tents.
A statement said: “Parliament Square is governed by specific legislation and local byelaws which prevent anyone from putting up a tent or other structure, having anything with them for this purpose, or any sleeping equipment. It also prohibits the use of any amplified noise equipment.
“Officers will be on hand to give out leaflets to demonstrators that wish to protest in Parliament Square. These leaflets explain the specific legislation that relates to Parliament Square and its surrounds.”
The occupation is expected to last until October 26.
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