Debate and Occupation at St Paul's Cathedral - London

Having watched the OccupyLSX camp outside St Paul's evolve over the past few weeks, visual, spoken and performing art have become part and parcel of the protest.

As onlookers soak up the entertainment, people from both ends of political spectrum are able to engage with live-in protesters and visitors. Examples of such audible occurrences were plentiful on Saturday 12 November 2011. A proud Ulsterwoman conveyed what she believed Jesus would think and do if he was at the site to a kaftan-robed protester claiming to be a Catholic nun. I suppose in light of the fact that the shadow of Christopher Wren's St Paul's loomed large over us all it's little wonder that Jesus and what he would do were hot topics on Saturday.

Jovial debate unfortunately gave way sometimes to more heated exchanges. Two dapper gents decided to explain to a young protester that he "should respect David Cameron" and "get-a-job". The situation was defused by visitors, protesters and a passing City of London policeman who explained to the two gentlemen concerned that he was not there for "anyone" but for "everyone".

I doubt that the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition down the road at the National Gallery will have to worry about art loving souls changing plans and visiting the posters, messages and installations of the OccupyLSX camp instead of the timeless brilliance of one amazing individual from history. Then again, after paying homage to Leo's miraculousness, I wholeheartedly advocate that they also take a bus or short walk to St Paul's to marvel at a large group of people living in the present.