Rosa Parks refused to move seat on a bus because of the colour of her skin, this was December 1955. It sparked waves of civil disobedience; it could be argued that this inspired civil rights movements across the globe.
A few months back I was dismayed to see that Occupy London Stock exchange stopped using the Transport for London logo because Transport for London threatened legal action. At the time it really annoyed me to see the Occupation conform to the request. Despite this and including being upset at the removal of anti-capitalist banners, I will continue to support the protest.
In many ways I have no choice, already having been lumped in with the 99%, here is my 99c worth. To walk away will fail to highlight what levels this state will go to silence protest. Certainly look for another site, but make a stand. Don’t get off the bus, the Suffragettes didn’t do as they were told, had they have know their ‘place, what sort of country would we have been in today?
This certainly not a new thing in London, this morning Climate Camp have had their High Court Judgement overturned. The Police had been found to have acted illegally in kettling peaceful protesters, who had occupied Bishops Gate in the heart of the City in 2009. You can watch the video of peaceful protesters being beaten by police, as they chanted this is not a riot.
Since Occupy London Stock Exchange lost their case at the Royal Courts of Justice, there has been much debate about the next move. Resist the eviction or walk away. There has been concern that to resist will mean violence from activists. I don’t believe that is necessarily true.
Many people want this to remain a peaceful protest; no one to my knowledge is suggesting otherwise, the only threat of violence comes from the Metropolitan and City police. In fact, the only people to have engaged in violence at this protest have been the Metropolitan Police. The potential for violence was so great that the then Dean Giles Frazer had to intervene. Our right to engage in non violence civil disobedience should not be denied by those who would seek to use the threat of violence.
Resist & Occupy, No Pasaran
