Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, St George's Road, Kennington

It's war on peace camp

Oct 18 2002
By Peter Harrison

South London Press

PEACE protesters camped out in a park are facing eviction after complaints from nearby residents.

A large ex-army tent went up at the end of September in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, St George's Road, Kennington, as a protest against war on Iraq.

The campaigners say they chose this location because it was so close to the Imperial War Museum, where people can see the "true atrocities of war".

The protesters also say they clean up their own rubbish on a daily basis, and allow homeless people to take shelter in their tent as an alternative to sleeping in the rain. No drugs or alcohol are tolerated in the encampment.

But Maria Parry-Burns, who lives nearby, claimed the camp has been taken over by drunks who leave rubbish strewn all over the park.

She said: "I've seen these people defecating and vomiting in the park. They seem to spend their time drinking and lighting fires."

A Southwark council spokesman confirmed a complaint had been received about the group and legal action was under way.

And Councillor Richard Thomas, Southwark's executive member for the environment, added: "I was relaxed about people protesting about the situation in the Middle East. I support the right to peaceful protest.

"But I am now concerned the protesters have installed a generator, created mountains of litter and have defecated all over our park."

These are claims strongly denied by the protesters who say they have support from many locals.

Protester David Cousins said: "We go around the area every morning to tidy the park.

"We collect not only our own rubbish, but also anything dropped by others. We even brought in a recycling bin."

When asked about the accusation that they had defecated in the park, he simply laughed and added: "Someone comes to complain on a regular basis and while they does that their dog c**ps on the side of our tent.

"We're given a lot of support from local groups and pubs, and even staff at the Imperial War Museum let us use their toilet and washing facilities."

He added: "This is a peace camp with a transient population of about four people at any time - yes, there are rough sleepers who use our tent, but we never tolerate drink or hard drugs."

He added: "When visitors leave the museum they will see our protest and realise war is wrong. We're happy for anyone to come and talk to us."

[ Previous | Next ]