In a clear reaction to the various "Occupy" movements that have appeared in the past few months, officials are considering banning demonstrations during the London 2012 Olympics.
The demonstrations are an offset of the original Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in the United States, which began as a protest on Wall Street and government employees.
The protests, which have no clear goals or motives beyond protesting income inequality and concentration of wealth, have inspired copycat movements throughout the world.
London, which is still recovering from violent riots that created huge damage throughout the city, has been proactive in not allowing a similar movement to emerge in its city.
After the riots, London has committed to regaining its previous image to aid tourism, especially leading into the large sporting competition. Part of that image is avoiding large demonstrations, however peaceful, that may inhibit transportation during the Games or create a reminder of the horrible riots from the year prior.
The preemptive move may backfire. It's likely that the Occupy Movement will not survive the harsh winters around the world, and even less likely that it will have the same momentum a year from now when the Olympic Games begin.
The proposal has been received with extreme disapproval, with protesters now more motivated than ever to react to the laws if they are put in place. This comes after Great Britain already allowed police added powers to prevent protests, including confiscating and entering private property.
A growing discontent in London, from the riots and protest movement, is becoming a dangerous undercurrent prior to the London 2012 Games.
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