Occupy’s armoured division takes on the law

What does every burgeoning movement need? Widespread public sympathy? Check. A clear set of aims and a strategy to achieve them? Ummm. A tank? Check!

Picture from counterfire.org

As Occupy activists set off to take over the disused Old Street Magistrate’s Court they had with them something all revolutionary movements must have on their Christmas list – a shiny tank, although I might b right in thinking this is actually an armored personnel carrier. Eitherr way you don’t want it looming at you down a dark alleyway.

The tank was accompanied by ‘Occupy Veterans’ supporters of the Occupy Movement who had served in the armed forces. Former lance corporal Joe Glenton, who served time in jail or refusing to participate in an illegal war, said;

“Many people join the military to see justice spread throughout the world, but the reality doesn’t always match up to the promise. In theUK, the courts are meant to serve the people, but here too it feels like the courts are never allowed to hear charges against the one per cent. That’s why Occupy Veterans has come together to march in solidarity with Occupy London, and the wider global Occupy movement, in the aim of achieving justice, as well as a more just society, for all.”

There’s also a video of some of the veterans talking about why they are there, courtesy of the Counterfire website.

The intention with the Magistrate’s Court is to hold mock trials of the “1%” a subversion of an original plan by the Met Police to use the building as a ‘community courthouse‘ and as the Corporation of the City of London is pursuing its own legal action against the St Paul’s protest.