Maybe they’ll know it when they get there
Protester Nick poses with an Occupy Wellington banner.
A collection of about 10 tents lies huddled on the grassy space on the concourse above Civic Square, cluttered with signs promoting love and equality for all.
This Wellington group is waking up in the sun on a lazy Tuesday morning. They’re having cups of tea, sitting in deckchairs outside their makeshift bedrooms and casually chatting to each other.
The group of about 25 people swells to 70 or more when events such as market days are taking place. It’s part of the global snowballing of the Occupy movement that began on Wall Street in September, protesting against social and economic inequality.
The group has been here for three weeks. It’s arranged trade markets and education sessions termed ‘free university,’ and a few Wellington restaurants are supporting them by providing food to about 70 people who eat at the camp every night. There’s a strong network of supporters who offer their nearby homes for showers and protesters also use the public toilets in Civic Square.
The ‘Anarchist House,’ a community centre at 128 Abel Smith Street, provides kitchen facilities for the protesters, most of whom are working or studying and are not on site all the time.
Campers who do remain in the area during the day say they visit Te Papa, check their emails in the Central library opposite and go for walks around the waterfront, but also spend their time talking to passersby and attempting to drum up support for the cause. And what exactly is the cause?
“We are opposed to all forms of oppression,” states the Occupy Wellington Facebook page, which lacks clear examples of what the group views as a concrete successful outcome to the protest.
Ben from Occupy Wellington would not share his last name, as he says he does not want to act as a spokesman, though he is listed as the contact for ‘Communications Committee’ on Facebook.
So why is the group here protesting?
“We’re expressing solidarity with the worldwide movements,” says Ben.
And what needs to change in Wellington in particular?
“There’s increasing hardship in terms of affording food and paying the bills,” Ben says, “At the same time record profits are being made by the banks.”
Paco, a traveller from Spain who says he would have joined the movement anywhere on his travels, says it’s not anything drastic they’re trying to fix.
“We want everyone to have food, clean water, a warm house and warm clothes. We want to stop spoiling the environment, stop using nuclear energy,” he explains.
Paco’s not sure what success would be though, “I don’t know how it’s going to happen or when we’re going to judge that we’ve done enough.”
Ben sees success as encouraging discussion, but can’t describe any immediate goals.
“The Occupy movement is taking a first step towards an overarching transformation of the political and economic systems,” he says, “It’s a long term process that requires extended discussions.”
He says they are not waiting for acknowledgement from certain political figures or for specific policy changes to be enacted.
“Whatever comes out of discussion will be what comes next,” he says, “Everyone has a different idea on what should happen.”
Occupy Wellington is to decide by consensus whether or not to move if the Council puts its foot down.
Paco says he’ll go when the group has amassed enough support to make a change.
“It’s not very comfy but we are trying to achieve something. We could stay forever but I hope not,” he says.
He’s unsure where to from here, though he has one idea, “I suppose if there’s a big mass of people we could make a parallel parliament, a people’s parliament,” he muses.
Expect the occupiers to stick around. Ben says, “We could be there for a while yet.”
- Jennifer Niven
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