Riot police surrounded an anti-lockdown camp as bailiffs moved in to break up a protest that had taken over Shepherd’s Bush Green on Thursday.
Protesters chanted “United we stand, together we rise” and “Kumbaya” as they banged bongos and pans as police stood by.
The activists had surrounded their ‘Lovedown’ camp with fencing to keep bailiffs out, managing to repel a similar eviction attempt “in the middle of the night” two days ago.
Bailiffs, from the National Eviction Team, in facemasks were filmed tossing camp chairs and gazebos to the side as they gave protesters 30 minutes to leave the camp or risk arrest, about 10am.
Bailiffs were filmed dragging one man out of his tent resulting in an angry confrontation.
One witness told the Standard: “Just saw the police moving in on them all - some leaving peacefully and others not so much. The camp has been there since the protests at the end of May.”
Met police said, in a statement: “On Thursday, 17 June, officers attended Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 to support the National Eviction Team as they carry out an eviction following the receipt of a possession order from the High Court by the Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
“Officers were there in order to prevent a breach of the peace, assist with any obstruction issues and deal with any criminal matters.”
