Occupy Norwich

[Simeon Jackson]

Dear Transition Norwich Economics and Livelihoods group,

You may have noticed in the press, from friends, or by walking the streets of the cities of this world, that thousands of people have been camping in squares and streets in protest of corporate greed and economic injustice. Norwich has its own occupation going on at Hay Hill (next to St Peter Mancroft church and Macdonald's), which has been continuously in progress since 15th October in which several transitioners are involved (including myself).

Although the constant presence indicates how seriously the issues are that the movement is protesting about, the real strength of this movement, as far as I am concerned, is the conversations that it has been inspiring amongst ordinary people about our economic and social structure, what is wrong with it, and what the possible solutions might be.

Occupy Norwich has several working groups which are trying to determine the nature of our concerns and form consensus on possibly outcomes and solutions.  The Climate Change working group (who have generally been meeting Tuesdays at 7pm at the Occupy Norwich camp) have already come up with some statements which have been agreed by consensus. 

There is also a Monetary Reform working group (Wednesdays at 7pm at the Occupy Norwich camp), which has been discussing the nature of money and the alternatives to the current system. If you have anything to add to (or indeed take from) this conversation, please come along. There are some discussion areas opening on the online forum, but the main bulk of discussion is at the weekly meetings. I had been considering organising a transition meeting to discuss issues of monetary reform, but with the Occupy events already running, we may as well use this forum for such activity, so I hope to see some of you there tonight! Warning: it can get cold, so wrap up warm!

Further information about Occupy Norwich can be found...

...at their website,

...on Facebook,

...on Twitter.

Keep the conversation going!

Simeon Jackson

P.S. Messages can be sent to this group by any member by emailing tn-ec...@googlegroups.com or replying to this email. This is a participatory group, so please feel free to participate! :)