Bailiffs evict protesters from London's square

[July 20, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- Bailiffs moved in early Tuesday to evict anti-war protesters from Parliament Square Gardens in central London.

Authorities moved to clear out the camp opposite the Houses of Parliament at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The Court of Appeal earlier this month backed London Mayor Boris Johnson in his effort to clear the square of a tent community dubbed "Democracy Village."

Organizers said it aimed to press for an end to the war in Afghanistan and drastic action to address climate change issues, but the mayor said the camp was attracting drunks and damaging the 19th-century garden.

Johnson's office said the square would now be closed temporarily for restoration.

"We are relieved this dreadful blight of Parliament Square has finally come to an end, and look forward to it being restored to its previous condition so all Londoners can visit and enjoy it," said Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster City Council, the local borough council.

"Whilst it is right and proper that it will always be a place where people can voice their opinions, we must find a way to help prevent it being hijacked by vociferous minorities whose primary intent seems to turn this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a squalid campsite," Barrow said.

[Associated Press]

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