It is so easy and convenient to regard those protesters occupying the area outside St Paul's Cathedral as a disparate group of unwashed, work-shy hippies, high on drugs. Perhaps there are as many reasons, as there are tents, for the occupation. It saves us all from asking ourselves the pointed question, why should we not help them?
These people are disempowered. None of them are clients of lobby groups who can guarantee you direct access to our political masters if the price is right. Many felt disenfranchised at the last general election and probably the elections before because they don't want either of the principal parties; a choice between being run over by a bus or a train.
Our political system doesn't permit None Of The Above as an option. If NOTA were an option on the ballot, people would truly be able to withhold their consent. As it is now, silence is taken as consent by elected representatives. Even for those of us who vote it is, only for 1 day in every 1,826 that democracy prevails. And how many of us voted for the least bad party? Then 38% of the electorate gets 100% of the power for the next 1826 days. That's a dictatorship although elected.
In many ways the occupier's voice is our voice. The bankers have been bailed out by the government and the people have to pay the price. Socialism for the connected and Capitalism for the unconnected.
The Occupiers are trying very hard to keep their base tidy, hygienic and safe for all. The camp is reminiscent of a refugee site. Portable toilets that were there at the weekend, supplied by authorities, have since gone. Because of the circumstances, they presently have the church grounds as a sanctuary but the cobbled ground is not conducive to pitching tents or sleeping on and this is apparent as the cold wind and weather bites.
Once it is no longer a novelty and becomes an eyesore, the authorities, I fear, under the pretence of health and safety, will get the camp cleared. To misquote Benjamin Franklin, if you have to give up democracy for health and safety you deserve neither.
Whenever our political masters use H&S or security to further an aim there invariably exists a hidden agenda. That's why you should support the occupiers.