Watching breakfast TV debates on a Sunday can become engrossing, This week a debate on the BBC, which partly debated Occupy London, was one such program. The debating panel was roughly split into two sides. Representatives and members of Occupy London were included. One was instantly struck by the intelligence of those who appeared. Perhaps these Occupy protesters were hand picked for today's program. If not the impression that the majority were middle class was hard to escape. Those on the opposite side of the debate made much of this. They kept referring to the "middle class shanty town" which developed on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral London.
Both sides did, at times, appear to agree with the sentiment behind the Occupy Protest Movement. It seems that more people are against the "fat cats" and "corporate greed" than you may at first think. Today's subject was really about whether a protest group has a right to set up camp. As the protesters said so much of London is now owned by the London Corporation that there is very little space for them to protest legally. Whilst one can understand the argument that the protesters camp prevents some people going to work or simply enjoying St Paul's, Occupy London is gradually getting its voice heard.
Authorities around the world are aiming to move Occupy protesters on so that they will be out of sight and out of mind. It is up to the protesters to make sure that they remain vocal no matter what happens to their camps.That is if they hold firm beliefs.
Former Labour spin doctor Alistair Campbell agreed with some of what was said but challenged the protesters view that they received little media coverage and in other ways were getting a rough ride. It was easy to see what he was getting at. Protesters in the past have always been between a rock and a hard place. What has ultimately won through has been determination and grit. The will to continue in spite of what the opposition may throw at you.
Occupy in the UK is becoming a voice that people hear. The debates assertion that they should gather together to form a political party able to stand for election was both right and wrong it seemed. Would Occupy want to join the establishment and be one of those they are berating? Could they raise the funds necessary to be able to do so? There are more questions than answers raised on this point.
People have written about how Occupy is squandering the growth of their movement by appearing to be ramshackle and without a clear mandate or set of aims. Perhaps though that is what they want to be. A force that can change to suit the times. One that remains adamant in its strength of feeling against that elusive 1%. One that makes other people seriously think about what is really going on and the future. If it does it is no bad thing.
Read the Occupied Times for the movement's free updates
Both sides did, at times, appear to agree with the sentiment behind the Occupy Protest Movement. It seems that more people are against the "fat cats" and "corporate greed" than you may at first think. Today's subject was really about whether a protest group has a right to set up camp. As the protesters said so much of London is now owned by the London Corporation that there is very little space for them to protest legally. Whilst one can understand the argument that the protesters camp prevents some people going to work or simply enjoying St Paul's, Occupy London is gradually getting its voice heard.
Authorities around the world are aiming to move Occupy protesters on so that they will be out of sight and out of mind. It is up to the protesters to make sure that they remain vocal no matter what happens to their camps.That is if they hold firm beliefs.
Former Labour spin doctor Alistair Campbell agreed with some of what was said but challenged the protesters view that they received little media coverage and in other ways were getting a rough ride. It was easy to see what he was getting at. Protesters in the past have always been between a rock and a hard place. What has ultimately won through has been determination and grit. The will to continue in spite of what the opposition may throw at you.
Occupy in the UK is becoming a voice that people hear. The debates assertion that they should gather together to form a political party able to stand for election was both right and wrong it seemed. Would Occupy want to join the establishment and be one of those they are berating? Could they raise the funds necessary to be able to do so? There are more questions than answers raised on this point.
People have written about how Occupy is squandering the growth of their movement by appearing to be ramshackle and without a clear mandate or set of aims. Perhaps though that is what they want to be. A force that can change to suit the times. One that remains adamant in its strength of feeling against that elusive 1%. One that makes other people seriously think about what is really going on and the future. If it does it is no bad thing.
Read the Occupied Times for the movement's free updates
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