despite the media reports that st paul's had to close due to 'health and safety' concerns, yesterday afternoon saw not only a strong presence at the LSX occupation, but also a new successful occupation at finsbury square in the heart of the city.

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media reports on friday evening quoted the dean of st paul's announcing with heavy heart that 'health and safety' concerns meant that st paul's had no choice but to close its doors and that as a result, the occupation, which had 'made its mark', must now move on.

it was odd then, that on saturday morning, despite these health and safety issues, a school visit went ahead at the cathedral, and a wedding took place - surely madness to put these children and the happy couple at such risk?

in the meantime, while the repurcussions of the dean's annnouncement are yet to make themselves felt, yesterday afternoon the occupation group put on a series of workshops and events to encourage more people to join them, and a samba band went on a stroll with a couple of hundred people, ending up at finsbury square, where a new occupation began, with around twenty tents and two tripods quickly established. the first reaction from the met police who cover the square was fairly low-key compared to the crazy and violent over-policing at st paul's last saturday.

when i arrived at st paul's in the afternoon, their 'info' marquee was very busy, with a long line of interested newcomers waiting for help. in front of the steps, hundreds of people listened to music and poetry over a small sound system. one of the highlights was a performance from excentral tempest, with her superb conscious rap poetry.

the plan at present is for the LSX occupation to continue, and for numbers to grow at both sites.