They can end the camp, but can they end the movement? - I have been turning up to the Occupy Dame Street (ODS) site for the past 4 weeks, I'm curious about what it is, what it can be and also what it shouldn't be.
I went to the #ODS site at first because I wanted to see who was there, what it was like and what people were doing. I was taking some pictures of the posters and signs posted around the camp. I wanted to get closer to a sign that was "inside the camp" and I asked a man who looked like he was "in charge" of something and what followed was an awkward silence, stare, look and comment of "Yeah sure".
Might seem insignificant but this for me is the nature of the occupy movement. one that invites those who are interested enough to turn up and be "in charge" of whatever they feel compelled to take charge of.
So, last week, myself and some friends decided to offer a series of reflective conversations on the movement. We adapted the method of The World Cafe to provide an opportunity for anybody who felt the need to discuss the movement and not the camp, to do so.
I make a distinction between the camp and the movement because to me, they are seperate and not wholly interdependent. The camp would not be allowed without the movement but the movement can exist without the camp. I don't ignore the fact that the movement in ODS will suffer if the camp is removed. The campers at the site provide a focal point and a constant visual reminder to the passerby that the movement is alive in Dublin. Unfortunately it seems that the construction of the kitchen at the ODS site is now the fuel on the fire that was needed to deconstruct the camp. It is expected, as reported in todays media that the Central bank of Ireland will seek an injunction from the courts in the morning to deconstruct the camp, or at least the kitchen construction. The possibility that Dublin City Council will seek an injunction is also very possible.
Unfortunate that the safest place in Dublin once the night owls begin to crawl is the ODS camp, it's drug and alcohol free and open to conversation rather than confrontation.
I don't know who decided to construct the kitchen, I don't remember reading it in the minutes of the General Assemblies or hearing anybody talking about it until construction began last Thursday. I hope the deconstruction of the camp does not go ahead because, as I said, it provides a valuable focal point for Joe Soap on the street. But I believe that if it does get pulled down and the campers removed the movement is bigger than the camp and will be forced to reinvent itself.
Whatever people think of the camp, the campers, the occupation and its supporters, I am happy to have played a part in a non violent protest, in a way that I felt I could offer something of my skills. This is a movement of many things, the ending of capitalism is not one of my goals, changing the way we run the systems we already have is one of my goals.
I hope the camp will remain after the court action tomorrow, but if it does not, I look forward to contributing further to the movement in Ireland, which for me, is fundamentally about providing space for authentic discussion on the issues that people care the most about.
I think it's important to raise the issue of rights. Under the Irish constitution, we have the right to public assembly and peaceful demonstration once we do not corrupt the morals of society. If the morals of society are to support the speculators to gamble, lose, gamble, lose and still come out winning, then the ODS is illegal. But it is not, it represents the views of hundreds of thousands or I speculate further and say Millions of people in Ireland who want a more transparent system, more honesty and integrity, less greed and open, direct and authentic dialogue about our current National and Global situation.
Peace
Alan
