About

The words ‘corporate greed’ ring through the speeches and banners of protests across the globe. After huge bail-outs and in the face of unemployment, privatisation and austerity we still see profits for the rich on the increase. But we are the 99%, and on October 15th our voice unites across gender and race, across borders and continents as we call for equality and justice for all.

In London we have occupied the forecourt of St Paul’s Cathedral, next to the London Stock Exchange. Reclaiming space in the face of the financial system and using it to voice ideas for how we can work towards a better future. A future free from austerity, growing inequality, unemployment, tax injustice and a political elite who ignores its citizens, and work towards concrete demands to be met.

Make sure to follow @OccupyLSX on twitter for updates. Try to come with a friend or group of friends. If you are thinking of staying for a while bring plenty of food and water, wrap up warm and you may want to bring tents and a sleeping bag.

Bring your energy and excitement, and be ready to create a better world!

64 thoughts on “About”

  2. ‘We have occupied’ and ‘reclaim space’?
    The Canon of St Paul’s invited you there; even asked the police to clear off in support of your protest. You aren’t occupiers, you’re guests!

    • That’s not quite true. Initially they occupied St Pauls…they could have been evicted (possibly) if St Pauls hadn’t seen the light and defended the weak. Maybe there is some hope for Christianity yet =D

      The two other locations that they have occupied are indeed “occupations”.

  3. Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  4. Hi my name is Sam I recently became a part of the Occupy Humboldt movement

    and I want to reach out to anyone who is involved in this world wide movement.

    Currently in Arcata,CA, USA shared concerns/motives were economic justice,

    environmental justice, free food projects, and ending the war on terror.

    It would help me very much to know who is the liaison for this group, and official email of said group. my email is sss40@humboldt.edu

  5. I have got enough respect for everyone that has kicked off this occupation. I, like many others i hope, am planning on coming down next weekend to show my support. Together we can do anything and now is the time for much needed change.

  6. My most important donation to support you is this one below. I’ve been there yesterday. Please please please pass the message on during the next assembly if you find it sensible:
    - No alcohol/drugs in the site!!
    - Ask people to reduce the vast amount of (even better eliminate) ‘just-for-the-sake-of-confrontation’ messages and plackards. We are not there to “upset city workers”. We need to influence the 99% that we are all together in this, not just to celebrate how much we agree among the 15%. City workers are within the 99%, sorry. And some of them support us, believe it or not. Let’s stop judging people’s lives.
    - All people camping should engage more in building something lasting and effective. Last night 23:00 there was a small group working at the entrance, and a big one playing instruments in the middle of the site (with cans of beer etc.). Let’s sing and celebrate once we’ve done the homework: this is a UNIQUE opportunity to engage others.

    I really hope this helps. All the best. And than you so much for taking part in this and allow me to have a voice too.

    • Right, you as with alot of other followers seem to be having a reoccuring issue – how to deal with the media. First you must recognise to at least a basic extent what is right or wrong, let’s say hypothetically the media ripped into anyone with long hair, and thus drew negative attention to the group via that, would it be right to say that people must all have short hair, NO! The media has a succinct lack of reason for it’s ‘socialogical code of conduct’ and these will be exposed by themselves. You should not alter the way in which you behave or think purely on the basis that someone else will have a go at you for it. Surely one must recognise that this movement is indeed abotu freedom and thus we should be seekign to alleviate people from rules to the greatest extent possible within the cause not inflicting them further just because people viewing might not reason their beliefs.

      Messages are a further expression of freedom, asking them to cut down on them on the basis tha someone may be offended is absurd – would it be right for me to have you banned for posting for suggesting such an absurd notion, no! Nor is it there.

      Finally this is a movement about people, people have feeling and emotions psychological need for stress relief for enjoyment, and it is this ‘human’ aspect that most certainly needs protecting. There is a time for working and yes the small group helping I’m sure were much appreciated, however I’m also sure that a group of people conversing joyfully whilst playing music would have also been appreciated on an equally deep level, as it’s a response to the ‘what are you’ type questions of some ill-knowledgeable people (in relation to the movement), with, ‘I am a human!’.

  7. Hi,

    I am trying to connect people with economics / psychology / and political science backgrounds to discuss a replacement financial / governmental system in a world-wide symposium. Would one of you be able to get the word out among your people? We will also need a web developer or two to set it up…

    Thanks!

    -Tammy Mackenzie
    Montreal, Canada
    wantchangenow@gmail.com

  8. In the immortal words of Gareth Keenan, ‘Some questions’…

    1. How does Occupy London (or whatever its official name is) know that it represents 99% of the human beings on the planet? How did it reach exactly THAT number, as opposed to 96.3942178%, or 12.297%, or 3.141592653589793238462643383279…%, or any other number? Or put another way (inversely), how does the OL collective mind know that the people who caused ‘this crisis’ (capitalism) constitute precisely 1% of the population?

    2. Why is OL protesting near the Stock Exchange? The Stock Exchange is not a bank, and has therefore never been bailed out.

    3. Isn’t the entire edifice of the welfare state effectively a bailout for the individual?

    4. Is it not somewhat ironic that OL are camped outside the de facto HQ of what I believe is one of the largerst (if not THE largest) real estate owners in the UK (the Church of England), which also has numerous stock market investments?

    5. Is capitalism dead? How does OL know this? And what was so bad about it, anyway? Will Ryanair still exist after the revolution? Will my insulin supplier (a multinational coorporation, traded on the London Stock Exchange), on whose continued existence my life depends, still exist after the revolution? Where will I get my insulin, if not? What do I do if I disagree with the revolution? Start my own? Are eminent capitalists of the past, such as Steve Jobs, in hell?

    6. Doesn’t this all depend on people just being nice to each other? But what if I’m a cunt? Don’t I have a democratic right to be a cunt, as long as my cuntishness doesn’t get infringe on other people’s freedoms (or their own cuntishness)?

    7. Why isn’t OL (or equivalents) camped outside Wayne Rooney’s house? Why should Wayne Rooney get loadsamoney? Will professional football players be taxed up to their balls after the revolution? If not why not? Isn’t it obscene that a man such as he should get so much dosh? All he does is kick a ball around a field, albeit apparently very skilfully. How can it be fair that he gets so much dosh for that?

    8. Can I be a ManU fanatic and also be a member of OL? (See point 7).

    9. Would it be a problem if the money that that has been used to recapitalize the banks actually results in a profit for the taxpayer?

    • To start with, I don’t think the 99% thing is said in contrast to the 1% who “caused” the crisis. It usually seems to be used as shorthand for the data in this article: http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2010/04/30/top-1-increased-their-share-of-wealth-in-financial-crisis/

      Basically that the richest 1% of americans got richer during the “financial crisis” of 2007-onwards.

      “According to his analysis, the top 1% held 34.6% of all national wealth in 2007. By Dec. 31, 2009, they held 35.6%”.

      All your questions are worth considering and from talking to people at the protest, I know that all these issues are being talked about constantly. But one thing that everyone seems to agree on (even most of the City workers I spoke to) is that the rich/poor divide in the UK (and certainly in the world as a whole) is already too big and still growing.

    • This is outstanding, really the protesters have no sensible alternative to capitalism as we have it today and i didn’t hear anyone complaining about the system before 2008.

      Also how can the campers be expected to be taken seriously when they all bugger off home as soon as it gets a bit chilly at night time…?

  11. Totally agree with the “Occupy” protestors,however, think you need to be careful that St Paul’s does not have to close as that would be a major negative blow to the whole occupy movement.

  13. wolla wolla wongaaar …….i bet my comments get removed,,free specch……///read my comments under sermon under home page on here of occupy lsx…………..you’ll soon see the truth.

  16. I work for just above the minimum wage. As I have 3 kids, this means I work around 50 hours a week just to make ends meet. I find it demotivating when I receive my pay statement and see just how much tax I am paying.
    I do however realise that this money goes to support those who are not lucky enough to have a job.
    I therefore cannot grudge paying this money provided the people who receive it are available for work and actively trying to gain employment.

    It would be somewhat ironic if people were protesting against the immorality of bankers yet expecting me as an ordinary worker to fund their lifestyle.

    With that in mind, can you assure me that I am not slogging my guts out to pay for “full time” protesters who are supporting themselves on my hard earned taxes?

    • you need a permanent address and regular meeting to recieve benefits – things which are not available in a churches front yard.So there aren’t any full time protestors mooching off you.

      Also even if there were, benefits account for around 1bn £/annum (of which around 1% is fraudulent)
      whereas tax evasion account for around 240 bn £/annum (of which 100% is legal and above board thanks to the rich being the same ones who make the law)
      so it’s the rich who are the biggest moochers, draining an entire nation for personal greed.

      Does this help?

      • So you are using tax evasion as an excuse for supporting protesters from my wages?
        Two wrongs clearly make a right in your world.

        As for your statement “there aren’t any full time protestors mooching off you”, well, the number doesn’t really matter does it? It’s the fact that they expect me to work and pay tax to support them.

        Life is hard enough trying to support my own family; I can’t afford to support those who are choosing to be full time protesters.
        It is disappointing that you condone this.

      • The first question I would ask is “Do you think the current state of affairs is right, moral, just, not corrupt etc?”

        If you say “No – it is immoral, corrupt” then the second question is “How do you change this?”

        I cannot see any way of changing things which does not involve some harm. paradoxes, contradictions, unfairness etc.

        Someone has to start somewhere, with honest intent, and we just jave to accept unfortunate unforeseen consequences – providing only that those involve remain of honest intent.

        • In answer to your question, I believe that the gap between rich and poor should not be increasing at such an alarming rate. I believe that many of the salaries received by executives/footballers etc is immoral. I think that the tax benefits enjoyed by the super rich is outrageous. I also believe that the system of politics we “enjoy” leaves most of the population powerless.
          I also believe that whilst I am struggling to make ends meet, my taxes should not be going to support any able bodied person who is capable of working but who has no intention of doing so. For the record, I took home lass than £800 last month, and I have 3 kids. Can anyone really justify to me why I should be supporting those who are capable of working but won’t?

          • You already pay towards the wages of 650 people in Westminster that are capable of working but don’t. Don’t hear you complaining about that

  17. I have ME and find it difficult to get out, I am not with you in body, but, I am in spirit, Thank you everybody who is there, you are representing far more people than you realise, it is not just the 99% of people living now, but future generations, will benefit from your example.

    love jon b

  18. I think there is a good chance, in the not too distant future, that the ‘rules’ to the whole global system will be re-drawn, and the current crisis we are seeing is just the beginning of what will lead to the near collapse of the global system. For years the whole world economy has been shifting. We in the West produce a whole lot less now than we did before, but we consume so much more. Lots of our money has been going to places it never went to before, in huge amounts, like paying Russia for gas, or to pay oil producing nations, or China. Vast movements of capital have taken place, vast amounts of capital have been produced . . but it isn’t flowing in ways in traditional ways, if anything on the timeline since the Industrial Revolution can been described as ‘traditional’. Bankers pay is a peripheral problem but is a good example of what makes so many people so pissed off. The figures for Executive pay out the other day almost seem like some kind of sick joke being forced upon us by a system that not only doesn’t know what is going to happen next, but is out to make us much as possible before it all grinds to a halt, or flys to pieces. There is some kind of a common morality out there, but its getting a good kicking at the moment and i don’t like its chances of getting any healthier soon. Capitalism and market forces have the morality of wild, starving dogs, although i apologise to any dogs i’ve done a dis-service to!

    Matthew Parris ( yes, from The Times) wrote a great article yesterday that sums things up very well, from a liberal Tory free marketeers point of view. And who also seems to be a bit worried about the direction that things are going.

    The people camping out protesting may not have all the anwers, or even many of them, but the ones in the suits in the City, and in Parliament, sure as hell don’t either. But i knows whos profiting out of it, and whos not, and i know whos side i’m on, because the other side have the money to pay big men in dark suits to keep me away from them.

    There will come a day, perhaps, but i think its a case of when, not if, that ‘The West’ sits down and decides the whole balance sheet has got out of control, and it was never designed so that all the money ended up where it has. Do you think the US is going to ‘pay up’ on Chinas bonds . . ever? When all our debt is owned by China and and Middle eastern sovereign debt funds, just how long to you think Uncle Sam and the EU are going to play the begger to their Lord Moneybags? Ha Ha . .

    So basically, we’re in unchartered territory, the crisis has only just started, and, before its over, a major re-drawing of the whole economic system will have had to have taken place . . . and when it does, WE HAVE TO BE THERE ! We humans have the intellect and ability to design a better system, and i think the opportunity for this to happen will come. One year? Five? Ten? I just hope that there won’t be a major international war first. The US and China spring to mind as the most likely.

    Good on all those camping out, I wish you the best, and that you don’t get too cold ! And don’t worry about those be-frocked idiots in the Church. I think we need people like you to do something, anything, to highlight the fact that capitalism is failing . . . . . and what the hell is going to happen next?

    • “We in the West produce a whole lot less now than we did before, but we consume so much more”

      You do know the UK is the 7th largest manufacturer in the world don’t you? We just employ less people to do it than in the past…

  19. You lot are an absolute bunch of wasters. get back into the real world and sort your lives out.

  20. particularly in reference to the speaker last night, has a petition/questionnaire been sent out to the vicars and bishops of the Church of England? it’d be great to get reflections from the the parishes throughout the u.k. and perhaps have a platform to go out and speak to people.

    http://www.stpauls.co.uk/News-Press/Latest-News/St-Pauls-to-reopen-with-special-service

    OH, given, perhaps a good idea to build relations with Churches (Mosques, Temples etc) and Community Centres, Schools and Universities (Students’ Unions) throughout Britain to open up the debate.

  21. a child (named Reuben) asked me this morning, what the occupation was all about? I gave an explanation which he seemed to understand. One of the media team then suggested we get school open days for the occupation, perhaps this could work with free guides to St Pauls? Anyhow explaining it to a child was a challenge worth more to me than a debate with people whom know better, I would recommend we make the occupation as child friendly as possible with animations and short films to support and break down the facts to the public and children of the U.K. youtube

    • AYE!!!

      I second this motion and if any extra webspace is needed I can provide it through my personal domain. (I’m not sure what the bandwidth could take…but I’m open to providing what I can).

  22. Keep up the good work and building a great awareness of the huge them and us that has caused social insecurity, almost 1m young people out of work and two generations that rely upon a flawed benefits systems (benefits whom exactly?) wars conducted illegally under some mickey mouse premise of weapons of mass destruction (we’ve zillions of them so why are’t our neighbours or Oil rich states invading us?) the few so called leaders have almost no power whatsoever and at the mercy of those with money and power and include the media moguls. I’d resurect Oliver Cromwell (give him a lesson on getting on with neighbours first) and let him do his thing. The Government have managed to give Billions and Billions to the banks and find a paltry £950m for the rebuilding of this country – money that will be loaned out may I add. I swore allegiance to HM the Queen as did so many youngsters of my era (I was 16) why? what is the point – at no stage has she or her offsprings said a word or done a thing about the social inequalities in our voting system as it suits them to maintain this one sided state. rant over better get some work done.. tax to pay. : ))

  23. Hi,
    I just want to say how proud I am to see normal people standing up to the “powers” that be. If it weren’t for my full time job, I’d be down there too, but I’ll try at some point to get down even just to say hi.
    The world is currently being run, not by the politicians, but by corporations who, in turn, put their money behind the politicians to assure they are elected. The result of which are governments who are sympathetic not to the people they are elected to govern on behalf of, but rather the companies who financed them.
    When the economy then struggles due to decisions made both in government and by the corporate bankers who look out for their own interests, the government is backed into a corner and forced to support the interests of those banks.
    Why have rules not been put in place to “govern” the morals and ethical practices of the banks, ensuring a more stable and just running? Why are we, the taxpayers, bailing out these crooks only to see the money go towards their bonuses and wage increases?
    We need a system which sees an end to these practices.
    As it stands, we borrow from other countries who themselves are in debt, ultimately creating an un-payable debt hole.
    This whole system must come to a dramatic end, so I emplore you guys, stick it out. You are doing a great job!

    Peace
    Al

  26. I woinder how long it will be before the protests get sufficient support to worry the Greedy Few – and they switch from threats to attempting to bribe the protest leaders…….

  27. Please stop it. It’s just so dull.

    ‘ohhh the nasty, nasty Tories. They clearly want everyone to die because Tories are one track minded and we the kids know best’

    It just sounds so familier….

    • It isn’t just the tories. This is resentment built up since the Iraq war. We elect government so that isn’t the problem. What is the problem is when companies not people have the right to vote and get an allotment of votes.

      We have the conservatives, labour, liberal democrats all thinking the same way and doing the same things.

  28. How can we donate money to keep you fab protesters fed ?Due to a medical condition I am not able to be physically present but would like to make a contribution.

    • Instead of sending money, send an Asda delivery and search for Smartprice products on the internet! You would be surprised with how much food you can send for just £25. One tin of baked beans or tinned spaghetti is about 20p.

  29. “Reclaiming space in the face of the financial system and using it to voice ideas for how we can work towards a better future. A future free from austerity, growing inequality, unemployment, tax injustice and a political elite who ignores its citizens, and work towards concrete demands to be met.”

    All very honorable objectives but what tangible solutions are you offering?

  30. “Please stop it. It’s just so dull.

    ‘ohhh the nasty, nasty Tories. They clearly want everyone to die because Tories are one track minded and we the kids know best’

    It just sounds so familier….”

    Good point well made. One of your members was on Radio 5 this morning stating that you had no party political bias. So where were you when Labour were in power?

  31. Why does everyone who protests seem so hung up about the corporations and the banks when they are just acting as they should within the system. Do people realise that the buck doesn’t stop with them when infact the only way to get real democracy is by removing the current system and replacing it with one which truly benefits all. Our money system its based on debt and can only work the way its working now it will never benefit everyone. The only way we are going to change things is by getting super organised and creating a new political party get elected and then shut it al down. Also please he re me when I say globalisation and centralisation of finance and political power is a bad thing a.dwe need to stop outside influences from dictating the way our country is run.also the media is against you.

  32. Can I just ask a few questions that haven’t been answered once by the Occupy movement yet? If you are indeed the ’99%’ (which I know you mean as opposed to the so-called richest 1% rather than a literal 99%) and clearly feel like you have an strong argument, then why not start a political party like the Green Party or even the Respect party and create a mandate and go out and fight for elections?
    Sitting in tents and using words like occupy just sets the ‘movement’ up for a fall, the experiences people seem to be having from talking with the people involved seems to be of aggression, being talked down to and given a mixed message. No-one seems to have a clear answer to what the actual aim of the protest is. My second question is know that you are ‘occupying’ these areas, what is the actual long term outcome, how does is end?

  34. Your guys have allegedly been shitting on the steps of St Pauls.

    Time you all went home with your heads hung in shame!!!

  35. I’m finding it difficult to understand what concrete plans you have to make any significant changes. I congratulate you on making a stand and developing a voice in front of the media. Next step is to issue your demands and make a difference. How about we focus on the reinstating of the Glass–Steagall Act, in the hope that the financial crisis of 2008 isn’t ever repeated.

  37. So, you choose to use a global corporate organisation (coffee shop with ‘free’ wifi to patrons) to set out your plan of action. Totally right on! ( I hope you detected the sarcasm). I don’t disagree with peaceful protest, but you are all just hanging around, you don’t appear to be doing anything but contributing to mess which is costing the tax payer for any clean up needed. Some of you are getting stoned and I’ve heard comment as such (so please don’t deny it!) How does this contribute to protesting against the banks and capitalism? I’d dearly love to know. And stop answering questions with a question?

  38. Pingback: The Occupation Will Be Tweeted « Spreading the Word

  39. I am so impressed with the immense passion and courage of you guys and have decided to join the protests. I live on the south coast. Can anyone let me know if i can join the protests and help in anyway I can. PEACE

  40. Dear whom may it concern,

    Good Afternoon,
    My name is Taeyoung Kim, a South Korean international student of Danish School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark.

    The reason why I am sending you this e-mail is to request a short interview, due to my assignment.

    My assignment is dealing with the topic of British teachers’ strike.
    As far as I have investigated, this strike is the first time in the UK’s history; so making this issue very important.

    I know that this issue has emerged due to the British government’s action toward pension-public sector reform.

    But this is also a social issue that influence heavily in British Society.
    So I want to hear about how Occupy London movement view this issue – as far as I know, Occupy London has also a plan to take action on the 30th of November.

    This article will be published on-line both in Denmark (in English) – this article will be published on an online magazine owned by the school, still you are welcomed to read it. And possibly, South Korea (in Korean).

    If you give me an opportunity for interview, your statement will be written as one of social perspectives.

    The estimated time for this short-period interview will be around 30 minutes. .
    I am going to stay in London from 6th of December(Tuesday) to 9th of December(Friday).So, I hope you can give me an opportunity to hear your position / statement.

    Since the interview will take place after the november 30th, the angle will be taken place like following:
    1) Do you support teacher’s movements?
    2) How about the rights of students – who should be educated properly?
    3) How should the government react to these social movements?

    I will look forward to hearing your reply.

    Sincerely,
    Taeyoung Kim.