The past few months have been bad for Capitalism. In one of the latest major examples of how globalisation seeps into every section of our lives, a global protest under the name ‘Occupy’ has grown in scale to accommodate demonstrations in no less than 1000 towns and cities worldwide. Beginning in Kuala Lumpur at the end of July 2011, the Occupy movement has unique agendas and demands for every area they’re occupying, including ‘authetic global equality’ – Occupy London, ‘Elimination of the Corporate State’ – Occupy Wall Street, and Occupy Mongolia demanding a 3-5 per cent decrease in loan interest by their commercial banks. In the English capital, Occupy London have a fully functioning mini-village, where supporting members of the general public have been donating anything from food to clothes, blankets, and tents for new demonstrators. They have a media tent where all social media and press communications are centralised, and even have their own football team.

I was skeptical whether the movement would reach Wales, as having lived here for a couple of years now I’ve seen very little in terms of activism and protest, however when a source emailed me a link to a video on youtube in early November, it became apparent that Cardiff would indeed have its own protest. I quickly got in touch with the organisers and two days before the protest was due to start I attended a meeting in a derelict pub where participants discussed slogans and made their banners in preparation for the occupation. The pub’s squatters had kindly opened its doors to the group and allowed me to shoot, while denying entry to the local media, so I felt privileged to be given the access and freedom to photograph as I pleased.

On entry I was met by a guy called Joe. We chatted in general about a news report that had come out that day in the local media. A guy affiliated to the movement had spoken to a reporter about the aims and demands of Occupy Cardiff without discussing it with the rest of the group beforehand. As the night went on, it became apparent that they had contrasting opinions whether it was a good or bad thing, with some inclined to think that any coverage would be beneficial to their cause, and others believing that it had undermined their efforts to communicate their public statements in a democratic manner.

I couldn’t help but feel they would face similar problems as the protest continued, as one of the major criticisms of the occupy movement has been a lack of general direction and structure due to their democratic ideals. Indeed when I had originally contacted OC and asked if their organisers would allow me to follow their demonstration, their immediate response was that “Everyone is an organiser not just me personally replying to you now, everyone is equal and everyone can do as they feel (Good of course)”, so it appeared that these ideals, whilst genuinely democratic in nature, had already knocked the foundations. Time would tell if they could reorganise and find a workable system of communication and delegation.

The banner and poster making got underway after a few more people had showed up with materials, with a short brain-storming session collating slogan ideas and imagery to use. Hosting provided by the squatters included extra artificial light and a small buffet of vegan snacks. Others brought their own food and it settled down into a friendly, relaxed and  sociable atmosphere. Not knowing what to expect, having never infiltrated (for want of a better word) underground activist organisations such as these, I was pleasantly surprised to find the conversation was light-hearted and humourous, and after a short while I found that I had completely relaxed in their company.

This person wishes for their identity to remain anonymous.

About half an hour into the night there was a loud and violent bang against the door, followed by what sounded like rocks being thrown at the boarded-up windows. It appeared we were under attack. The squatters jumped up and ran outside to find a bunch of kids, clearly with nothing better to do, shouting abuse and throwing objects at the windows. It was a small incident but it gave me an insight into the lives of the squatters who, by the look of things have to deal with such abuse on a regular basis. It may have only been a couple of rocks and a few swearwords on this occasion, but who’s to say that someone won’t firebomb the pub at some point in the future? It appears that there is indeed a trade-off between paying rent for comfort and security, and squatting in a disused premises – where living in fear for your safety comes with a personal expense of its own.

The irony that the pub was full of people doing their best to make a better future for todays youth was not lost on us. It didn’t ruin the night however, and whilst I was there they did not return.

This person wishes for their identity to remain anonymous.

When the day came, I turned up around half one to find a solitary protester waiting on a bench. The police presence was minimal to begin with. I guess they were more concerned with where the protest would end up, rather than where it began.

Knowing they were going to pitch up on the lawn surrounding the castle, I took a short walk over there to find the main area outside cordoned off with temporary fences. It was clear that they were expecting an occupation.

Having the inside info, rather than spend time photographing them all waiting beside the statue, I took a position over the road by the castle in the hope that there would be someone to make a brave leap over the barricades. Sadly, once over the road, there was a bit of confusion were to go until someone said they should take a far more civilised route around the side.

The civilised route turned into a thoroughly civilised conversation between a protester and castle official, who explained that they were not allowed into the front area due to requiring access for a BMW promotion currently taking place. I was expecting a more rebellious response, but in true democratic fashion the lady smiled, agreed that they would camp around the side, and the race was on to begin setting up the camp.

As the first tents started going up we saw the first real response from the police. It’s now become clear that it was part of a preplanned strategy.

Citing a 19th century bylaw, protesters were informed that they were not allowed to occupy the area surrounding the castle and were risking arrest. When asking for clarification on the particulars of the law, the activists were told that they should speak to the inspector for further details. My feeling, and I expect many others felt the same, was that they were just doing their job, and that they’d be more interested in managing the occupation than removing it. Indeed the PR consequences were risky – especially considering the global eye cast upon societies experiencing similar protests. The protesters politely acknowledged the threat and carried on regardless.

The next thing to happen was a public meeting. Everyone gathered in a circle and each person was given the opportunity to get up and speak.  There was no aggression from the police and it was all very good natured. Several people got up to speak, but no major plans or demands were discussed. People were generally talking about what they’re pissed off about, and informing the crowd about the local toilet facilities.

After I left and the rain set in, the amount of protesters reduced in number from about 70 to 30. It was at this point that the police moved in to remove the camp. According to reports on twitter, there were a few arrests, and there is a lot of speculation over the force exerted against the remaining few, however I feel a personal disappointment aimed at the action from the police. They have enforced a bylaw from 1875 to remove the camp, but I can think back recently when another smaller camp took place in front of the castle for several weeks before being moved on. Maybe this was where the law was dug out from.

It incinuates one rule for one and one for another, and considering the peaceful nature in which the protest was conducted, it seems extremely petty to use such a piece of legislation to deny basic rights to protest. This may seem hypocritical, but I personally expected a gentler approach from the authorities in Wales, as my personal experience with them has been very laid back and accommodating in the past. I’m not sure how they can defend the action; using a tenuous bylaw to remove a peaceful protest that would cause no harm to anyone seems heavy-handed, unnecessary, and, as part of a long term strategy, risky. Evidence from other societies around the world suggests that if you keep suppressing a peaceful minority, it’s only a matter of time before your faced with a violent majority. I for one, would hate for that to come to Wales. If it does, maybe we’ll look back at moments like this as being more formative in appearance than they first appeared. I get the feeling this won’t be the last of it.

UPDATE: 01.41 12/11/11

Video of the eviction by Llantwit1977 on youtube. Make of it what you will.

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