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Occupy protesters return to Westminster

Protesters descended on central London tonight as the Occupy movement gathered to set up camp outside Parliament.

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Occupy vows to continue protest

Occupy Protesters holding banner near Parliament Square Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Protesters who spent the night near Parliament Square today said they planned to remain outside the Supreme Court until Sunday evening. Around 30 protesters from the Occupy London group slept on land outside the Supreme Court building, which overlooks Parliament Square, after the square itself was fenced off. Around 45 demonstrators were still in the area this afternoon, displaying banners and placards.

Protesters who started their protest on Friday plan to stay until Sunday evening Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Canning Green, a grassy area near the court, has also been closed off by police. Protesters said that they were demonstrating against the bedroom tax and the privatisation of the NHS.

Protesters outside the Supreme Court Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

We didn't vote for the privatisation of the NHS. We didn't vote for TTIP (Transatlantic trade investment partnership). We didn't vote for fracking. But all these things are happening. We all came together and we decided that there's a democratic deficit. People don't know these things so we have to keep educating them. Unfortunately the narrative is becoming more about the right to protest."

– Raymond Obedencio, Occupy Protester
Protesters from the Occupy group hold a demonstration outside the Supreme Court in London Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Our role here is very simply to facilitate peaceful protest. There will be a policing presence for as long as the protest takes place. In response to concerns from protesters about tarpaulins and cardboard being removed. The Police Social Responsibility Act prohibits the use of anything for sleeping."

– Superintendent Andy Walker, Metropolitan Police

Occupy protesters scuffle with police

There have been scuffles between police and protesters as members of the Occupy movement returned to Parliament Square tonight.

Demonstrators gathered in Wesminster, unveiling a banner reading "real democracy now" and forming a blockade on the road in Parliament Square.

Police had warned protesters that they were banned from setting up camp in the square. Dozens of officers were stationed in front of fencing placed around Parliament Square which prevented people from accessing the site.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it attempted to make contact with organisers but the group had "failed to engage" with the police force.

There were a series of clashes with police on Parliament Square last month as supporters of the Occupy movement stood their ground for nine days.

Protestors from the Occupy group attempt to stop traffic in Parliament Square as they hold a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament. Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

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