Occupy Cork

cork | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Wednesday October 19, 2011 11:27

by Occupy Cork - Occupy Cork

South Mall in Cork occupied for a fourth night...

294674_288172617868701_280649958620967_1083868_1690206296_n_1.jpg

This is just a post from an eager participant in the Occupy Cork movement - not any kind of official statement, but I hope that other related Occupy Cork stuff can be posted below.
Been down on the ever-metamorphosing site pretty much since Saturday - the atmosphere is fantastic, general assemblies held twice a day, various sub-groups working on security, food, general logistics, talks, workshops, art, outreach, music, media... We've had huge support and interest from passers-by and of course the odd poxy comment just to keep us from getting too enthused with the immanent possibilities of this whole process (much appreciated). The space is open to all and is generating a genuinely vibrant environment for discussion and organisation.
General assemblies are being held each day at 1pm and 6pm and are open to all to contribute - but I'd encourage people to drop in at any time and check out the space and get a feel for this experiment in direct democracy.
A live feed is broadcasting regularly from http://www.livestream.com/occupycork, but if you're anywhere near the vicinity, best just drop down...
One encounter: A lad of about 18 who'd stopped for a look-in asked myself and a friend this evening if we were "always against capitalism or just since ye got poor?" Cocky and all as the question might sound (though by no means to be dismissed in and of itself), for me this was a very articulate hint at how a generation of young people perceive those they see as having reaped the rewards of the Celtic Tiger - the aspirant generation for whom so much appeared possible - while today's 18-year olds have now spent three years living with the deflationary cynicism of the recession and its grim prospects - quite a different formative experience. They deserve better, we all do - we, all the people of this planet, and imagine, if we actually manage to sort this financial mess we might even get back to thinking about how the planet itself is not in the best of shape either.
Too many encounters to recall at this moment, so I'm only hoping this shares a fraction of the experience of the last few days, and hope that this thread will develop with comments and pictures from other participants, passersby, supporters, critics and detractors...
Also, the photos are all ripped from the Occupy Cork facebook page and are from the first couple of hours there on Saturday.

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Comments (10 of 10)

why

by vandweller

Sun Nov 20, 2011 19:34

why,why arnt we seeing any of this on the news, or even tir na saor??????

2 vids in from Cork

by cork vid

Sun Nov 06, 2011 16:31

1 from the AIB bank occupation / kids maths class, 2nd
Find all on their YOUTUBE channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/occupycork

Occupy Cork AIB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3VMr_zq5Jo

Occupy Cork - The Silent Protest : A Silent Protest held Saturday November 5 in Cork City.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_DN1xB7VI

Caption: Video Id: V3VMr_zq5Jo Type: Youtube Video
Occupy Cork AIB

Caption: Video Id: oO_DN1xB7VI Type: Youtube Video
Occupy Cork - The Silent Protest

Plenty going on down in Cork, Boy!!!

by On de rebels...

Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:27

#OccupyCork: This morning we held a 'Teach-in' in AIB on South Mall. A local teacher held a class for a dozen primary school kids in the main lobby, to help publicize the connection between th fall in investment in the education system, and the shocking amounts of mone been handed over to the international bond market. Photo's and vids up soon!

**** National coverage:

Occupy protest holds maths class in bank (examiner)

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/occupy-protest-hol....html

A MOCK maths class, as a symbol of the absurdity of mammoth sums of money being paid to bail out the banks, was held in a Cork branch of AIB by the city’s Occupy protesters.

To the shock and surprise of staff and customers, a group of about 20 children and adults entered the South Mall branch at about 11am and began holding a class in the middle of the bank.

In what was a daring escapade filmed by local students, the children sat on the floor in front of a whiteboard as a teacher attempted to explain the figures behind the bailout.

Bondholder payments 'coming directly from education' (times)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/1104/1....html

ELEVEN CHILDREN accompanied by their parents took part in a “teach-in” protest in the AIB branch in the South Mall, Cork city, yesterday.

It doesn't add up, say young protesters (indo)

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/it-doesnt-add-u....html

Fermoy teacher teaches 'class' in AIB protest (cork paper)

http://corkindependent.com/stories/item/5606/2011-45/Te...-Mall

*** Earlier art action in the streets of Cork:

"Bank Robbery" - Photos by Ray Hanrahan

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.29623545039575...ype=1

lads wandered around with their SWAG bags and their ROBBER outfits... making the point that Irish people are being robbed by IMF, NAMA...

‘No to Bondholder Bailout’ protesters stop traffic in Cork

http://www.thejournal.ie/no-to-bondholder-bailout-prote...2011/

MEMBERS OF THE Ballyhea Bondholder Bailout group took their demonstrations to new levels today, creating a human roadblock to cause traffic chaos on the main Cork-Limerick road.

About 50 people gathered at Ballyhea at noon to protest against the payment of a US$1 billion Anglo Irish Bank bond tomorrow.

More on that community: Ballyhea bondholder bailout protest

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballyhea-bondholder-bailo...74719

*** upcoming support event:

Occupy Cork Benefit Gig @ The Roundy

http://www.drop-d.ie/occupy-cork-benefit-gig-the-roundy...21619 + http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282354228464844

The Roundy in association with mutantspace arts skills exchange will host an evening of top music & slamming on Thursday November 10 to raise awareness and funds for Occupy Cork.

A month on and still going strong, Occupy Cork is hoping for a better future! This is about taking back power and public space and creating an environment for real participatory democracy.

In spite of a disappointing initial turnout, Occupy Cork has bolstered itself with a consistent presence in the city’s financial quarter, earning public sympathy and respect in the process, forming a clear-cut manifesto and going about fundraising activities, including a gig Thursday next week at the Roundy. Stanley Super 800 will be making a rare live appearance, supported by Annette Buckley and Aaron Dillon. It’s a freebie, but contributions are of course encouraged.

Occupy Cork protest holds maths class in bank

"Bank Robbery" in Cork

#occupycork battling on by the banks of their own lovely lee

#occupycork On de rebels

Ballyhea Bondholder Bailout: protesters stop traffic in Cork

Occupy the Streets - Cork City - vid + article

by #OccupyCork

Tue Nov 01, 2011 22:51

Occupy the Streets - Cork City
http://vimeo.com/31322658

No demand is big enough!

http://corkindependent.com/blog/no-demand-is-big-enough/

A lot of people have criticised the Occupy movement, both in Cork and around the world, for its lack of a clear programme of demands. We say that the primary achievement of the movement so far has been to open up a new political space for debate on the massive issues facing us all. And the lack of demands are not by accident – as Charles Eisenstein explains below, ‘No Demand is Big Enough’...

Caption: Video Id: 31322658 Type: Vimeo
Occupy the Streets - Cork City

Great 8 min VID from #occupycork

Sat Oct 29, 2011 13:25

Great 8 min VID from #occupycork http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gfUBvikzOU

Occupy Cork Saturday! (14:30 - 22:00)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159585744137003

This Saturday we're going to all meet at the campsite at 2.30. From there we'll go around town in small groups handing out leaflets and talking about the worldwide occupy movement.

Then it's back to the park for 5pm when No Shame, a brilliant local rock band, will play some tunes.

At 8pm we're having our Big Busking Bonanza, all musicians please bring instruments. Facebook event for that is here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194325323975376

Caption: Video Id: 2gfUBvikzOU Type: Youtube Video
Occupy Cork

congrats

by tedd - self

Fri Oct 28, 2011 22:23

These are my kind of people. I live 40 miles from city but will call in next week. We will succeed cos we must succeed.

#OccupyCork: Big Busking Bonanza + news n wishlist

by Rebel Cork

Fri Oct 28, 2011 20:54

The ferrymen Band.. Lively trad... Will be playing OccupyCork camp TONIGHT to launch the jazz weekend in true Irish Fashion...stand up and be counted and get your bottom down here to the camp around 9pm

Big Busking Bonanza

Calling out to all musicians and performance artists, we're going to have a huge busking fundraiser on Saturday. Meeting up at the camp at 8pm and we'll take the town by storm. Bring your guitars, violins, drums, bongos, banjos, harps, fiddles, didgeridoos, djembes, juice harps, accordians, voice's, devil sticks, yoyo's, diablos, jugling balls, poi and yourselves !!!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194325323975376

-Today's Wish List- ( In order of priority)-

People
Marquee
Filing Cabinet
Hard Drive
Video Camera's
Large Storage Boxes (with lids)
Blankets, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Mats, Pillows
Tents
Video Camera's
Carpets, Pallets
Cups, Forks, Knives, Spoons, Plates, Bowls
Heaters
PA System, Mics, Musicians

Our You Tube Channel, a work in progress.
http://www.youtube.com/user/OccupyCORK

**** NEWS:

Michael Mansfield just called in to show his support for the movement.

Billy Bragg lends support to Occupy Cork
http://corkindependent.com/stories/item/5466/2011-43/Bi.../5466

Last night the group of protesters spent their twelfth night sleeping outside in the tents they have set up on the South Mall.

The English singer played a sold out gig in Cyprus Avenue on Tuesday night, but also played a number of songs included ‘There is power in a union’.

During the song, he said: “If people eventually want to change the world they have to organise, just as these people are doing here. First time I ever came to this town, I played a gig in James Connolly Hall, and that’s the tradition in Irish history that we are tapping into; a tradition of internationalism, trade unionism and passionate socialism.”

Mr Bragg told The Cork Independent that he is very encouraged by Occupy Cork and the young people who are involved. “This generation has been dismissed as being interested in politics but that’s not the case. A few weeks ago I was involved in a campaign against the British National Party (BNP) and most people were under 25, as they are here.

There is a new generation of motivated people who are trying to change things and they are doing it without having to call upon a handbook of communism. They are doing it in a completely different way. They are organising in the same way that James Connolly used to organise.

“They are not tied up in ideology and not interested in what Lenin might do!” he laughed.

He also praised the non-violent, no-drugs and no-alcohol policy of all the Occupy Together movements.

Big Busking Bonanza : HUGE busking fundraiser on Saturday @ OCCUPY CORK

Billy Bragg with Occupy Cork

Rebels with a cause ... music and craic and ideas to change the world

Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:47

Billy bragg at occupy cork

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFqT1TwEYdY

Paddy Nash - Greedy Little Man- Occupy Cork
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqU3ZRVFI_0

Occupy Cork - NightTime (more music and yap)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkkqoOBtRDg

*** Articles:

Rebels with a cause (Irish Examiner - October 22, 2011)
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfqlkfojmhql/rss2/...908md
( also found at http://enoughcampaign.org/2011/10/22/occupy-cork/ ; )

The model "Occupy" is now being replicated in cities across the world, including Ireland.

Needless to say, Cork’s Occupy movement — located on the South Mall in the city centre — isn’t quite as dramatic as Wall Street’s, or even Dame Street’s efforts, but the spirit of those involved is just as resolute.

"I am very proud to be Irish. I am originally from the north-west coast, I love our culture and literature, and this country, but it has been mismanaged," he says. "I was in business myself and saw the everyday push and pull of it. I got out in 2002 and watched the Celtic Tiger, the breakdown in communities and this culture of money."

"I was attracted to this because of the fact that it is a non-violent leaderless movement of the people. We don’t want to go down the route of the Greeks and rioting, that doesn’t work, but I think this is a real chance for people to get together and do something."

St John Ó’Donnobháin from Kilkenny says he was inspired by the Wall Street movement and the idea of people taking the power back.

The 28 year old was working in tourism and as a teacher, before finding himself unable to get work.

"The country feels let down by the political system, there has been no change since the change of government, and what we are doing is trying to take that political power and open up a space for debate so we can take some control back."

Ó’Donnobháin says he is "very much" against the IMF. "They are providing money to us at a level of interest that will cripple us for a generation. I don’t think we have seen anything yet as regards cuts. The next budget will cut so deep that social services will be crippled. We are pulling money out of the economy, and making a bad situation worse, and IMF is a huge part of that problem," he says.

"I think for those who are questioning what can we achieve here, well that very fatalism is the thing we need to fight against — this idea that people can’t change things. No movement for change ever started from a position of strength. Change comes from below."

**** The truth about ‘Occupy Cork’
http://cork.studenty.me/2011/10/24/the-truth-about-occu...cork/

But what exactly are they vocalising about? Waving signs such as ‘We are 99%’ and ‘True Democracy Now’ are all good and well, but what are they actually saying?

Armed with a coat and purposeful stride, I went down to the tent-ridden site at the weekend to find out more about ‘Occupy Cork’. Instead of an angry mob, I found a friendly and welcoming atmosphere; a place to get inspired about positive change, a place for sharing ideas, brainstorming about solutions for our world, or more locally, Ireland. The angry bees had transformed into beautiful butterflies, all brightly coloured and a symbol of freedom.

Occupy Cork, the Rebels are still going strong, rain or no rain

Occupy Cork, the Rebels tell it as it is

Occupy Cork: Let the music keep your spirits high

Caption: Video Id: ZFqT1TwEYdY Type: Youtube Video
Billy Bragg at Occupy Cork

Caption: Video Id: qqU3ZRVFI_0 Type: Youtube Video
Paddy Nash - Greedy Little Man- Occupy Cork

Recent films from #OccupyCork

Thu Oct 20, 2011 21:14

OCCUPY CORK in solidarity with OCCUPY WALL STREET and OVER 1000 OCCUPY CAMPS all around the world
(from WORKWITHNATURE, good to see a practical ecological perspective here, eh rationalist ecologist...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdBkfFp2C2c

The craic at occupy cork (nightime)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC6uv149cMg

Occupy Cork Protest. Part 1 (The angel song band)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA4K6DCQio

Occupy Cork Protest. Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hCE63DMXU

Occupy Cork Protest. Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBy-V3KColQ

OccupyCork (knotsberry)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgN_0VrBtNw

United For Global Change - Cork.wmv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NecT9uNRapY

PreviousIMC-IE post re #occupycork: From #OccupyDameStreet to #OccupyCork ( Go On De Rebels)
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/100658&comment_limit=0&...84924

Follow on FB at http://www.facebook.com/occupycork

Latest local media article: Protesters set up camp on South Mall (Cork Independent)
http://corkindependent.com/stories/item/5301/2011-42/Oc...-stay

On Tuesday night between 30 and 35 people stayed in the campsite overnight, while the number was 52 on Monday night. More protestors arrived yesterday (Wednesday) from Wicklow, Dublin and Fermoy. The group contain about the same proportion of men and women, and most protesters are in their 20s.

He (Liam Mullaney) said they have had donations from all manner of people, who have given them money, cookers, tents, blankets, lots of food, hot water and manual labour. They have a wish list online on their Facebook page. “The response is usually within the hour," he said.

He said that members of the public have been very receptive and supportive. He told of one woman in her 60s who stopped her car in the middle of the South Mall, and in tears, told the group about her financial problems and how she felt she had no voice.

Those bauld rebels of #OccupyCork

Caption: Video Id: rdBkfFp2C2c Type: Youtube Video
OCCUPY CORK in solidarity with OCCUPY WALL STREET and OVER 1000 OCCUPY CAMPS all around the world

Caption: Video Id: NecT9uNRapY Type: Youtube Video
United For Global Change - Cork

Photos from 19th Oct - early

by Hilary

Wed Oct 19, 2011 16:08

Hi guys, a link to some pics from the poor freezing cold and wet space in Cork.. as an 80 year old lady told me 'They should be getting paid for that' :) Too true!

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