Make no mistake, this is a crucial time in humanity’s evolution. Every day it dawns on me more how significant this generation is to the species as a whole. You just need to know a bit of history about how we’ve all evolved, and the huge affect we’ve had on the planet in the last 50 years to see significant change is urgently needed. If your doubtful just check any number of Climate Change, Peak Oil, The food system, rising populations and the ever growing power of the greedy few. Obviously we all have our doubts like, is it too late already? or how can we change things with all that’s against us? Nobody knows for certain how much we can change, nobody knows exactly how we’re going to change things. But what we all must recognise is if we don’t change the system we live in, the entire species is at risk. The stakes couldn’t be higher. So then all you have to ask yourself is, is it worth trying to make a difference?
The global protests that have arisen in the last year about all these problems took a signigicant leap forward on Saturday. It was the largest global day of action ever recorded, which again points to the significance of our times. I was at the Manchester action. I’d estimate there was 200 people there at it’s peak. This is a good start, but this needs to grow significantly in the coming months.
I want to guard against giving these actions too many labels. They are not simply protests, nor assemblies nor shows of civil disobedience. They are people coming togethor to make the world a better place. We may not be sure exactly how to start with, or exactly what we’re aiming for. To be frank, of course we’re not. The whole point is we need to work these things out together, week by week, realisation by realisation. This is how anything works, knowledge is emergent, nobody has all the answers straight away. So please don’t think these gatherings are somehow doomed to failure because not all the answers are here at the start.
On Saturday in Manchester a lot of people spoke on a microphone about why they had turned up, and what they thought the main problems were with our world as well as suggesting short/long term solutions. Due to shoppers being all around this assembly, more people gathered and listened to what was being said. This is just one way these actions raise awareness, which is the most important thing that needs to be done now. After these talks, a group of us went to protest outside Barclays, Vodafone, Topman, Halifax and Santander. We were using signs about governmnent cuts/tax dodging, as well as megaphones. Lots of people gathered to see what we were saying, so once again this helped to raise awareness and ‘wake people up.’ The fact there was a decent number of us (around 50) gave our protest real credibility. If these are continued on a regular basis, with increasing numbers of people the waking up effect will snowball. Most people know there’s a serious problem with the economy now, and so naturally they are looking for answers. We have a responsobility to provide them, with the knowledge the mainstream media will not.
Just do what you can to help this movement of ‘the 99%’ grow.
Once we returned to Picadilly Gardens to the main gathering, there were separate groups made to discuss things like future actions and a statement for Occupy Manchester. All in all a productive few hours, and of course we are meeting again next Saturday to start where we left off, with improved ideas, knowledge and connections. There is no one on this planet that is not affected by this growing movement. There is no one that cannot contribute. This is true democracy in action. The current political powers work for the wealthy few, therefore relying on them to sort out the worlds problems is completely illogical. If you care about yourself, or about anyone else then this is the movement to join. Sitting idly by and hoping for the best is irresponsible and, well, just crazy. Look at the trends, educate yourself and you’ll see what I mean pretty quickly. If you can’t attend an action, then there’s always the internet, there’s always word of mouth. Just do what you can to help this movement of ‘the 99%’ grow. Humanity depends on it.
The next Manchester meeting is outside Victoria Statue in Piccadilly Gardens at 1pm, Saturday October 22nd.
Peace and Love,
Chris A.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/OccupyMCR
http://www.occupytogether.org/