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Protesters defiant over UBS bank squat

 

Brian Farmer
Monday 28 November 2011 15:59 GMT
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Protesters said they hoped to enjoy a Christmas dinner in the UBS building in Hackney
Protesters said they hoped to enjoy a Christmas dinner in the UBS building in Hackney

Economic justice campaigners occupying an empty office building owned by an investment bank said today they would fight lawyers' attempts to remove them.

Protesters said they hoped to enjoy a Christmas dinner in the building in Hackney, east London, which is owned by investment bank UBS, and would contest legal moves.

Campaigners are due to ask for a possession order granted by a judge to be set aside at a High Court hearing in London on December 5.

Mr Justice Roth heard submissions from protesters at a preliminary hearing in London today.

After today's hearing, protesters said they were setting up a variety of projects in the building including a "Bank of Ideas".

"We are contesting the legal action. We think we have a strong case," said a spokesman outside court. "We hope to have Christmas dinner in there."

He said the occupation involved a number of campaign groups but would not say how many people were in the building.

The protesters' spokesman described the move as "public repossession" and added: "There is going to be a lot more public repossession going on."

Protesters have also targeted the land around St Paul's Cathedral - near the London Stock Exchange - and at Finsbury Square in Islington, north London.

Campaigners announced they had occupied the building on November 18 and today told Mr Justice Roth that they were still there.

Following the occupation, a UBS spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the situation and are taking appropriate action."

Protesters represented themselves today but said they hoped to be represented by a barrister on December 5.

PA

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