1% vs. 1%: Dunedin occupiers lack cohesion, ignored by majority.

For almost two weeks the Octagon has been occupied by a group of citizens, pitching up a colourful display of tents. The occupation is in “solidarity” with New York- also demanding cuts to corporate greed, a change in the financial system and a more representative and accountable democracy.

The move had been heavily planned in the preceding weeks, with people from all sorts of organisations chipping in in the logistics and organisation. I helped contact a few groups. Possibly unbeknownst to the occupiers, October 15^th was also the day Anonymous called for as part of a nation-wide strike in the UK, it was also the 4^th anniversary of Te Urewera Terror Raids.

On D-day more than 200 people passed through the Octagon supporting the protest against the current economic system, that night 18 tents were set up. A week later the number had swollen to 42, but the movement lay in disarray.

While the protests in Wellington and Auckland continued to grow, with increased support from the general public, the universities, etc. In Dunedin it seemed unclear to many why people were protesting. Little information had been given out.

Enough of a birds’ eye view, within there is little cooperation and cohesion. I have spent a couple of nights there and, aided by reports from others, I don’t think much talk of policy is going on. I certainly didn’t witness any. I understand they don’t even know how they will respond to the police, which means they could respond negatively. A large section of the group believes in non-violence and civil disobedience. I personally talked to others who fantasize with how the London riots went.

Certain elements of the protest have also distanced it from the Dunedin public. It is a hotbed for “radicals”. While this response is to be expected by the media, it isn’t one the protesters have tried to counter. Indeed bringing dogs into council meetings, shouting at the mayor and passers-by, a lack of information and an inability to work as a group have electrified a sense of tension amongst tent city. I know people who don’t feel they can bring their kids to the protest, a friend of mine was almost hit by a fellow occupier who wasn’t stopped by others. This isn’t a place for kids. It is also a place Rape Crisis don’t feel welcome to, and Norml have hardly made a presence. Many other groups and political individuals have shied away too.

In Wellington and Auckland the occupiers organise daily workshops open to everyone. Here only one leaflet has come out, made by the member almost punched (because he expressed his views to his comrades on the protest). The point of the protest was to unite individuals who feel change is possible, people who are ready to discuss ideas and tactics, to plan and organise. Many of these individuals, and the groups whom they’re part of, are denouncing Occupy.

Why?

People see radicals who don’t do much. This is the idea we have to correct (note I haven’t used ‘shatter’, ‘destroy’…). While “radicals” are an essential part in a democracy, people aren’t moved by their rhetoric- this talk of ‘workers’ has become outdated to many. ‘Workers’ still exist, just not in factories. They –we- are still manipulated by the system and we slave for it- damn that rhetoric!
Na, our taxes still pay for their, our, environmental destruction. Current hegemony is chosen by us, we choose it in its cultural form and abide its ideology as if it were ours. Every strand of current political theory is of course affected by this hegemony- through media, through ‘choice’. We choose of the range of choice put down onto our plates, this range makes us believe there is diversity and plurality in society. It is our pseudo democracy.

Whether representative democracy (or any other system (I have lately been taking a train trip into the prairies of postmodernism))can change the way we think or told to think is a debate well worth having, maybe even at the octagon. First of all though the Octagon has to be open to everyone, isn't it a public square? People should be able to debate in general. Particularly we should be able to debate a way forward.

There is no point in saying what is wrong with the system if we cannot pin down alternatives. These alternatives need objectives and end-goals. The mayor is more than ready to listen, in fact he has conceded to the protesters' demand for a portaloo. Plus the ODT loves this shit! If the occupiers can accommodate a range of views and if it can figure out ways forward (whether through consensus or through vote), it will be a force to be reckoned with. We need it to either open up or close and start again.
For now it is occupied spelled with an "A". The initial momentum of the first day gave way to a lack of cohesion and cooperation that will be gleefully seen whither away from the council chambers. The bells are chiming. Let's not hear their toll, it will then be business as usual.

P.S. I doubt the police will evict the occupiers, but watch out for Melbourne and Oakham.
Other links: why we are important.