Take the space while we can at the Occupy LSX

Last night I finally went to the Occupy the London Stock Exchange camp in St Paul's churchyard after almost 2 weeks of occupation. So much has been said on the media about the occupy movement...that  discredited  the political effectiveness of  the camp in the middle of city that I thought it is time to go and judge by myself.

Climate Camp or the “do it yourself” approach

When I arrived at the camp in St Paul's I recognised the made of Climate Camp. I entered a "hot drink" tent, sit down with the people there and felt at home almost immediately.  One of the people in the tent confirms that climate camp was the force behind.... They have a long history of occupying fields across the country and therefore very practical skills he said. A Russian musician attracted by the sound of the piano gave us some news on other occupied places in Europe...reminded us that in UK with all  its repressions we can still speak out that's more than they can do in Russia. Later I asked a young guy in his twenties if people really leave their tent at night as the media was insinuating. He admitted that some did. Most people have a job to go to he said. 

Jesus was threatening the Temple income as much as the camp is today at St Paul’s

On Friday 28th November St Paul's cathedral reopened after citing health and safety reasons for its closure because of the Occupy London camp outside. According to some people I spoke to at the camp all the health and safety measures have been discuss with the council and addresses. So what was the real reason to remain close!? What the safety inside the church as to do with tents outside in the churchyard ? I wonder!  I know I am not a safety expert but it sounds absurd! From a PR perspective it looks pretty bad.  Charitable clergies expulsing unarmed and peaceful protestors! The fact that they are re-opening shows that they are losing the battle and acknowledge that the camp is here to stay. St Paul's lost £20,000 per day since its closure. Why did they close in the first place?

This current situation reminds me of when Jesus raided the Temple and attacked money-changers for defiling a holy place. The leaders of the Jewish establishment realise that he threatens their power, and so do the Romans, who fear that Jesus has the charisma to lead a guerrilla uprising against Imperial Rome.
The religious and political establishment at the time of Jesus are not much different from today's institutions that collude with power for some favours and obscure interests.  Jesus was threatening the temple income just as the camp is today. 

Conclusion:

Whether or not the cathedral authorities take court action to evict the camp, it will have a disastrous publicity on the church. Even if they manage to evict them it will take at least 3 months for a court order to be acted upon. In the meantime, the movement strengthens...

Slutwalk – When policemen share the same mentality as the rest of the male culture

After the Slutwalk march in London on Saturday 11^th June, I felt the need to reflect on what women and men told me about their reason to be there.  I read about rape, attend talks… until I understood how all this connected to feminist politics.

The trigger

It began on 24^th January 2011, when a policeman walked into Osgoode Hall Law school in Toronto, to tell women how to avoid sexual violence “I’m not supposed to say this, “Sanguinity said. “However, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.”

This triggered a wave of protests that started on 3^rd April in Toronto, Canada, and spread to major cities in the world in US, Portugal, Brazil, Australia, Amsterdam, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland, South Africa, Mexico…..

SlutWalk was a reaction to not one officer's remark, but to incessant sexism that discriminates women and justifies rape, violence and oppression.

D-Day – Saturday 11^th June, 2011

On Saturday 11^th June, 5,000 men and women marched under the “No means No, Yes means Yes” slogan toward Trafalgar where the talks took place. Although each women and men had their own particular reason to be there, each one gave an insight on the overall matter. 

Men’s inability to control their impulse – when the roles are reversed

The first belief Slutwalk aimed to challenge was that women were responsible for their own rape because of what they wear. The exposure of women’s flesh through clothing was justifying rape. I really find society complaisant and indulgent toward men’s inability to control their urges and blame women for it. In this scenario men’s reverse the roles and become victim of women who must have done something wrong.  “She was asking for it” they sometimes say.

Policemen share the same cliches as the rest of the male culture.

Moreover, this sexist remark from a Police officer showed how the male police mindset is often similar to the stereotypes views of rape that are shared by the rest of the male culture. Policemen are often reluctant to face up and believe a rape complainant which might explain why only “6% of complaints result in prosecutions” and “40% of adults who are raped tell no one about it”. 

All forms of violence towards women are against the law; therefore it is the responsibility of the police to hold perpetrators to account. If they choose to ignore it they became complicit with the perpetrator in his abusive behavior which will repeat itself. One female protester said that police’s failures to hold perpetrators of rape into account are responsible of manslaughter and should be prosecuted.  

The facts about rape: 

• “Any female may become a victim of rape. Factors such as extreme youth, advance age, physical homeliness and virginal lifestyle do not provide a foolproof deterrent or render women impervious to sexual assault.” According to Susan Brownmiller.
• 80% of the women who are raped are victimized by someone they know.

My views on what’s next

I think we should not stop here and start building a strong movement. The Uncut decentralized protest group is a great inspiration for direct action. Why not organize regular and spontaneous protests in front of police stations across the country just to remind police officers that our fight is not over. This culture of silence and abuse of power needs to end. 

Reference:

Against our will, Men, Women and rape by Susan Brownmiller

Slut Means Speak Up, a campaign launched at Slutwalk London to tell the world that rape is never, ever the fault of the victim.Official site: http://slutmeansspeakup.org.uk/about

http://www.womenagainstrape.net/ 

March For The Alternative - Why they are here and who they are 26.03.11

The March for the Alternative was organised by the TUC and joined by UK Uncut, a self-organised direct action group.

While the Trade Unions marched toward Hyde Park where this film was made, the UK Uncut under the "Shut Down London" operation was targeting "Tax Dodgers" retailers. Their philosphy is non violent and consist in entering the shops, in this case Fortum and Mason and do "sit-downs" with their placards. Obviously shoppers don't feel like buying anything... then the shop manager has to shut down... Mission accomplished :-)

In this film the protesters have been asked why they are here and who they are. 

While interviewing people from different walks of life, I realise that they all shared a common characteristic. They care for others. They are conscious of the implications of these Public Service spending cuts on their friends, family and local communities.

There was half a million of people coming to London from across the UK to show their opposition to this Tory Libdem lead government spending cut bill. Many citizens that aspired to change, voted for the Liberal Democrats at the general election thinking that it will make a difference. Most of them, feel deeply betrayed and question the true value of democracy. If we are in a democracy, why is it that our "representatives" once elected do not keep their promises. Does our voice count? This government instead of acknowledging the overwhelming opposition to Public Service cuts, they use the media propaganda of the state to divert the public opinion from this truth and focus on minor incidents that have been made bigger than they really are.

What's next?

The people that came to the protest know that all of this is no true. Until we rely on the BBC to tell us what's happening we will be kept submerge from real consciousness and unable to fight for our rights to health, education, settler.... It is time to get back our power and be listen to. Keep up to date.

References:
Filming and Editing: Sandra De Andrade
Interviewer: Liz Rojas

Music: Zapac Test Drive

A day embedded in the student protest – Sat 29 January 2011

I joined a small group of activists to produce jointly a film covering the National Protest organised by NCA£C and lead by students to tell the story that is not getting told.

My contribution to the project was the filming of the character embodied in Flaminia, an Italian masters degree student at Goldsmith University.

If it does not play; click here.

Last Saturday 29 January 2011, I joined Flaminia at the National Protest meeting point in Mallet Street, London. She was with a few other students from her university getting ready for the march.

This National demonstration was called by National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts in the absence of action by NUS (National Union Student). 

Aaron Porter, the president of the National Union Student has been asked to step down as he has lost his legitimacy in representing students since last November protest that saw students hurt, arrested and prosecuted. Students’ words are hard but irrevocable “Aaron must step down”. At the core of the recrimination a profound let down explained in Laurie Penny’s article. 

So why are students protesting when the university raise in tuition fees to £9,000 per year bill has already  been voted in Parliament since December 9^th December 2010?

They see their fights against the raise in tuition fees as part of the Tories’ ideological spending cuts strategy. They don’t understand why they should be paying that amount of money when corporations like Top-shop, Vodafone…. are avoiding billions in taxation as UK uncut pointed out. Moreover, they are worried about their future and the prospect of finding a job in this current economical climate. What support is the state going to give them? 

Since the overwhelming majority of the population seem apathetic` at the daily announcement of spending cuts, students feel compelled to act for all of us in the hope that their fight will trigger a wake-up call across the society.  They dream of a unified movement where cleavage of class, age or sex ceases to fight a common goal following the path of their bothers in Tunisia and Egypt. 

You could see the disappointment of the students when they realised that their protest was losing momentum at the Egyptian embassy…still they are not defeated they will return more united than ever having learned from their mistakes. 

Read about :

The story of UK Uncut by Samira Shackle

Join: 

http://www.facebook.com/ukuncut

http://www.facebook.com/NCAFC