Occupy Mum at Occupy Sydney

Bern Ellis

My involvement with Occupy Sydney has been one of support. As a single parent with two children and a part-time worker, I always knew my involvement would be limited. Even so, I have been able to attend planning meetings, work-group meetings and general assemblies.

I have facilitated general assemblies and written minutes. I have been a tent monster, learned yoga, practiced meditation, created signs and pamphlets. I use social media and made two Tumblr sites (messagesofsupport.tumblr.com and signsforchange.tumblr.com). I have attended Free School and ran my own meetings and workshops.

Before Occupy I was an isolated single parent and part-time student / worker. I never went out or did anything unless it was for my children. I didn't like the way I was excluded from the decisions that governments made, but I didn't know what I could do about it. I followed Occupy Wall Street online and I learnt in a short amount of time the details of the broken economic, ecological and sociological systems that control us. And when Occupy Wall Street put a global call out for worldwide Occupy movements I knew that this was the action I wanted to be involved in, this was the change I wanted to see in the world.

After Occupy I have learnt so much about myself. I have connected to my self-empowerment and leadership skills. I have talked to and had conversations with more people than at any time in my life before. I have learnt that people all want the same things, and as I learn more about direct democracy and consensus I also learn that we can be inclusive with respect and consideration for each other.

The biggest shock to my system was the fact that our police officers are ordered to harass, bully and intimidate protesters. I didn't want to believe that police officers would abuse their position of authority like that. Maybe it was just isolated incidents that I saw in YouTube video footage. But my involvement with Occupy Sydney has shown me direct and undeniable evidence that police will execute their powers without human rights, or duty of care or even lawful action in mind.

I witnessed this myself when four to six officers watched me (one person) practice meditation for 20 minutes three times a day. Often they would approach me and attempt to interrupt my meditations. This was in November 2011.

What's more worrying is that our councillor's and politicians all stand by and allow this police behaviour to continue. Even now police are constantly raiding the Occupy site, stealing political signs, personal items, cardboard desks and milk crates. The only thing that has been a relief in this onslaught is the support of Magistrates to overturn the political bail conditions on Occupiers. I look forward to more supportive outcomes in our courts.

I want to see Occupy become a community hub in every town and city. I want garden-to-kitchen shared food. I want libraries of books, people, items and skills. I want common areas for free school, working groups and conversations that are inclusive to resolve local human needs.

I want our public governance to be accountable, transparent and sustainable. I want all people to be empowered leaders that are informed and active participants in our communities. I am willing to dedicate myself to the changes that support communities to practice consensus and direct democracy. I am willing to action the change I want to see in this world, are you?

The Occupy Sydney website is occupysydney.org.au