Army veterans followed Occupy London’s Tank of Ideas today in the first stage of what will be a protracted battle to liberate the City of London.

The self-styled ‘humanitarian intervention’ follows in the wake of an economic crisis which has forced millions out of work and shows no signs of abating.

The Tank of Ideas rolled into the disused Old Street Magistrates Court this morning. A spokesperson for the Occupy Movement told Counterfire they would be using the space to ‘put the 1% on trial for their economic crimes in causing this crisis.’

Amongst the occupiers is ex-serviceman Joe Glenton, jailed for desertion after refusing to fight in Afghanistan. Glenton said he was occupying because ‘bankers aren’t the only ones that deal in futures. On behalf of those who’ve been sold out by the government – soldiers, young people, the disenfranchised and deceived – we’re taking those futures back.’

As a soldier in Afghanistan, Glenton’s no stranger to the language of intervention. ‘Liberal democracy teaches us to liberate by shooting guns at brown people. But our tank has peace symbols on it. This is an occupation of peace, for peace, for everyone.’

Occupiers were initially questioned by police officers, but plan to remain on the premises. The occupation will be ‘non-residential’ but host workshops and cultural events.