One of Britain’s most iconic buildings, St Paul’s Cathedral, attracts swathes of tourists every year. But in October 2011, thousands of people descended on the site as part of a peaceful protest, organised by Occupy London, to take a stand against corporate greed. The protesters transformed the area into a sea of tents.
Among them was Liz Beech, a pensioner from west London. She volunteered in the information tent and at the library in “Tent City University”, where people congregated to chat, read and listen to talks by academics, until the protesters were evicted in February 2012.
“The first thing I saw when I arrived was of a bunch of blokes doing the washing up in the kitchen tent,” recalled Ms Beech.
“It became a community – lots of friendships were formed. During the early stages hundreds of people would come to our general assemblies in their lunch hour. It was very lively.”
But in the early hours of 28 February bailiffs supported by police began to remove the tents. “The church wanted everyone off but I think we were quite a tourist attraction ourselves. [St Paul’s] looked quite dismal afterwards, just paving slabs,” said Ms Beech.
Almost four years on, the Occupy network is still going strong. “We’re still alive and kicking. There are upwards of 100 of us involved.” They campaign on issues such as climate change, fracking, the NHS and housing.
In 2013, the group’s occupation of a London library saved it from closure. “The more connection we can make with ordinary folk to show activism can work for the benefit of the community, the better,” said Ms Beech.
She is also concerned about the prospect of UK air strikes on Syria. “There’s nothing to say people wouldn’t regroup if something happened,” she said.
