The Occupy London movement deserves our respect and support
While in London last week I visited the two Occupy London camps at St. Paul's and Finsbury Square. The mood at both was low key with only a few Occupiers around putting structures up, playing football on the pavement, working in the catering tents, and conversing in small groups.
I have used the word 'Occupiers' because some I spoke to resisted thinking of themselves as protestors or activists – and 'campers' does not seem to fit the bill either. The preferred term for some is 'learners' on the basis that the Occupy movement is largely an international discussion about what could replace winner-takes-all-capitalism. In fact, each sight has a University Tent with a daily programme of speakers and discussions. The main impact for me was the sight – very rare in the UK – of small groups on the pavement (of Occupiers and the passing public) exchanging views and discussing ideas. Wonderful.
There is not a coherent philosophy or unified political stance. It feels to me like something bubbling up at the sub- or anti-political level that is not yet articulated. One Occupier wanted our politicians to make things better for us. Another thought the Occupy movement would one day render politicians irrelevant. As far as the European economy goes, politicians already seem irrelevant against the all-powerful onslaught of the international money men. I wish the Occupiers good luck and warm sleeping bags.
Peter Limbrick
SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) has produced a new guide on how to improve access to social care for adults with autism, based on research by the University of Sussex. 