Protesters evicted from Britain’s Parliament Square

Peace protesters gather for a meeting back-dropped by a statue of Britain's former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in London, on Monday. Photo: AP.

Anti—war protesters and environmental activists who have been camping outside Britain’s Parliament Square since May 1 were evicted early Tuesday.

Police and court officials moved in on the so—called democracy village at 1 am (0000 GMT). Several of the activists who had chained themselves to the fence and trees were removed by dawn.

The High Court ordered the eviction at the end of last month, but protesters remained. London Mayor Boris Johnson had launched the legal proceedings, describing the camp as “nauseating.” On Friday, the protesters lost a court appeal against the eviction.

The square in London that houses the world famous Big Ben clock tower is a major tourist attraction. Authorities now plan to fence off and rehabilitate the area.

The protesters who had camped out in tents highlighted their objections to among others, the war in Iraq and climate change.