By Matthew Champion.
Thousands of environmental activists are swooping upon Blackheath in Greenwich as a week-long demonstration dubbed Climate Camp begins.
Despite the protestors' green motives, all eyes are on the response of the Metropolitan police to the temporary camp in the first major policing test since the G20.
Organisers initially refused to tell the police the location of the camp other than 'somewhere within the M25' but it was revealed to supporters, and a train of journalists and photographers, via text message.
Activists had earlier gathered at six swoop starting points. Around midday, groups in West London had begun to move towards Trafalgar Square, while those in the east remained put, leading many commentators to speculate that the final location would be somewhere in east London.
Protesters based in Bank and Moorgate played 'activist bingo' and made home-made banners as curious City workers looked on.
An hour later, texts revealed the secret camp location as Greenwich Park and many protesters boarded the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) heading towards Cutty Sark.
So far, a festive and peaceful atmosphere has prevailed with the Metropolitan police using 'community' policing, in stark contrast to the G20 protests in April.
'We are not expecting any violence or trouble unless it's caused by the police,' Kevin Smith, a Climate Camp organiser, told politics.co.uk.
In an open letter to Scotland Yard explaining their secrecy, Climate Camp organisers said: 'While most visitors to previous camps have had an inspiring and positive experience, some of us have had to suffer violence, intimidation, theft, sleep deprivation and harassment, thanks to past examples of 'pre-planned and proportionate policing operations'.
'I'm afraid we just don't trust the police. Why? Because it seems as though every time we have a protest, the police turn up and start hitting people. Look what happened at the G20.'
In the aftermath of the G20 protests in central London the Met was savaged for its heavy-handed approach which saw thousands of people, protestors and bystanders alike, 'kettled' and prevented from leaving.
In response the Met promised 'community-style policing', setting up a Twitter account @CO11metpolice for activists to keep in touch. Hours before the camp, which runs until September 2nd, only 358 people had signed up to follow the profile's updates, most of them considered to be journalists.
Thousands of environmental activists are swooping upon Blackheath in Greenwich as a week-long demonstration dubbed Climate Camp begins.
Despite the protestors' green motives, all eyes are on the response of the Metropolitan police to the temporary camp in the first major policing test since the G20.
Organisers initially refused to tell the police the location of the camp other than 'somewhere within the M25' but it was revealed to supporters, and a train of journalists and photographers, via text message.
Activists had earlier gathered at six swoop starting points. Around midday, groups in West London had begun to move towards Trafalgar Square, while those in the east remained put, leading many commentators to speculate that the final location would be somewhere in east London.
Protesters based in Bank and Moorgate played 'activist bingo' and made home-made banners as curious City workers looked on.
An hour later, texts revealed the secret camp location as Greenwich Park and many protesters boarded the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) heading towards Cutty Sark.
So far, a festive and peaceful atmosphere has prevailed with the Metropolitan police using 'community' policing, in stark contrast to the G20 protests in April.
'We are not expecting any violence or trouble unless it's caused by the police,' Kevin Smith, a Climate Camp organiser, told politics.co.uk.
In an open letter to Scotland Yard explaining their secrecy, Climate Camp organisers said: 'While most visitors to previous camps have had an inspiring and positive experience, some of us have had to suffer violence, intimidation, theft, sleep deprivation and harassment, thanks to past examples of 'pre-planned and proportionate policing operations'.
'I'm afraid we just don't trust the police. Why? Because it seems as though every time we have a protest, the police turn up and start hitting people. Look what happened at the G20.'
In the aftermath of the G20 protests in central London the Met was savaged for its heavy-handed approach which saw thousands of people, protestors and bystanders alike, 'kettled' and prevented from leaving.
In response the Met promised 'community-style policing', setting up a Twitter account @CO11metpolice for activists to keep in touch. Hours before the camp, which runs until September 2nd, only 358 people had signed up to follow the profile's updates, most of them considered to be journalists.
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