LONDON (AP) - Hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters mingled with bemused bank workers outside London's St. Paul's Cathedral Monday, as welcoming but wary cathedral staff urged demonstrators not to deter tourists wanting to visit the historic building.
Around 500 demonstrators gathered outside the cathedral over the weekend as part of the global Occupy Wall Street protests. About 200 pitched tents around the cathedral, and have set up a makeshift kitchen, toilets and an information center.
The protesters, a loosely organized group inspired by the month-old movement in New York against corporate wrongdoing, seemed to have settled in for a long stay, but it was unclear how long they would be allowed to remain.
The ground immediately outside the church is owned by St. Paul's, which permitted the protest camp on the weekend, while the local authority also partly owns a stake in the nearby churchyard, part of London's medieval heart.
"It's quite a complicated, ancient melange of different interests," said the Rev. Rob Marshall, St. Paul's spokesman. "The need is to keep access for pilgrims and tourists."
Dean Graeme Paul Knowles of St. Paul's said prayer services had continued as normal over the weekend, but the "last few days have not been without various challenges." In his statement, he added that the protesters have been careful to make sure they do not block people trying to enter the cathedral but said cathedral staff, police and community leaders are "monitoring the situation carefully."