Occupy Norwich - Looking Forward to the Global Spring

On 20th February we dismantled the Hay Hill camp, stacked the rubbish, swept up and looked around at a place that had become very special to us. When we set up last October, none of us knew how long it would stay. In the event, it became one of the longest continuous occupations in the world. We met thousands of people, and even if not everyone was happy to see us, at least we did what we promised - a peaceful, legal protest that shone some light into some rather dark corners.

We were often asked "So what are YOUR solutions?" But Occupy isn't about handing out solutions. We have all been conditioned to accept the system, to read the "truth" from school books and holy books, and stop thinking for ourselves. If Occupy has achieved anything, it is to make people think differently. Many people have come away realising maybe for the first time that they are both the problem and the solution.

So, we move into 2012 with mixed emotions. The camp was a big part of our identity, a visible statement of our belief that things can change. But it was also a big drain on our resources, and a lot of other plans were put on hold. Now we can devote our attention to them. Peaceful direct action, arts events, the Peoples' Assembly, education groups and of course building stronger ties with everyone working towards a fairer future. Phase 2 of Occupy has plenty to keep us busy. Phil Grimes

For full post on Occupy Norwich website.