Occupy Movement Hits London

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 disperse¹ 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 corporate² 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 dealing³ 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 deficit⁴ 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 demonstrations⁵ have taken place in other cities across the country, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

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

1 disperse   

vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散

参考例句：

• The cattle were swinging their tails to disperse the flies.那些牛甩动着尾巴驱赶苍蝇。
• The children disperse for the holidays.孩子们放假了。

2 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

5 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。