Occupy Movement Hits London（在线收听）

Thousands of protesters marched in European cities on Saturday as part of a global protest to demand a change to the world's political and financial systems.

Police in Rome fired tear gas to disperse protestors who smashed bank and shop windows. Protests were also held in London, Frankfurt, Athens and Madrid, where the protest movement began five months ago.

In London, protestors rallied around the financial center to voice what they called government-backed corporate greed.

Our London correspondent Tu Yun reports.

 
The movement started on Wall Street, New York. Now it comes to the Stock Exchange in London.

Demonstrators are challenging the country's financial system and the way the government is dealing with the financial crisis, which the demonstrators say were caused by the greed of the one percent rich people.

A protester, who would only identify herself as Annie, says she's lost everything in a way when housing market crashed.

"The value of my house bottomed down and never recovered. I'm 45 years old and I have to start my life over again. I lost everything, thanks to the bankers. I've had enough of this."

Britain's undergoing deep spending cuts totaling more than 80 billion pounds, affecting thousands of households. But the failed banks are getting bailout worth hundreds of billions.

Protesters say the public is sold out.

"If we re-introduce the Tobin tax at 0.05%, that would raise at least 100 billion pounds year. That's enough to wipe off the government deficit within two years. We don't need any public spending cuts. What we need is social justice."

Demonstrators have been trying to approach and set up a protest camp in the square that's home to the London Stock Exchange. But all the entries are blocked by the police.

Some protesters say they will stay for as long as possible.

"Our revolution starts somewhere. People have to come out on the streets, and talk, and make their voices heard. We can't just sit at home and take it anymore."

Smaller demonstrations have taken place in other cities across the country, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun reporting from London.