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A different kind of sit-in

A group in London is fighting back to save public street seating.

Photo: Space Hijackers

In the spring of 2007, London’s Camden Council removed all the public benches from the hip, gritty north London area it governs. The reason: to deter local homeless people from bedding down for the night. But the rest of Camden’s residents suddenly found themselves without anyplace to feed the birds, chat with friends or simply sit and watch the world go by. Now a handful of “guerrilla benchers”—disguised as municipal employees in bright-coloured jackets—is saving public street seating by installing replacement benches. These guerrillas show up, and quicker than a cop can say “No loitering,” they’ve drilled a new bench into the sidewalk. When they’re finished, they no doubt sit down for a well-deserved rest.