I did some sketchbook drawings of the anti-capitalism protest outside St. Paul’s Cathedral during our visit to London earlier this week. I was surprised that the Cathedral staff had previously wanted to evict the protestors as there weren’t all that many there, they seemed a pretty peaceful bunch and they weren’t blocking anyone from walking around the church. I suspect that the Health and Safety Act was being used as an excuse ….. seriously, how many people have suffered injury or death from hippies in tents?
Not everyone is going to agree with their sentiments and that’s fine in a free society, but I’m worried that the presence of wardens, special constables, private security firms and bouncers on our streets is eroding our freedom not only to protest but also to be a bit different. I know artists who have had their cameras snatched by private security and special constables using the spurious excuse of ‘anti-terrorism’. In my opinion, artists must resist attempts to curb our freedom and what happens to the protestors at St. Paul’s is absolutely relevant to the freedom of artists to observe, record and reflect.
The drawings are in Faber Castell Pitt pens, sizes S and M into an ‘Artbox’ recycled leather bound A6 sketchbook.
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well said Rose.The media reporting has been unbalanced in respect of this particular protest. I’m glad you visited the camp, I think what they are doing is so important and hopefully will open up some dialogue for some well overdue matters to be discussed and debated.
It was all very good-natured and teeming with tourists who seemed as interested in the camp as in the cathedral.
Great post–I am watching the progress of the Occupy movement in the U.S. Interesting how the media doesn’t really cover the protests. I get my news more from alternative internet sources.
Seems to be a disproportionate level of police activity-tear gas rubber bullets, etc., to the peaceable protest. There are occupy protests in many cities now. Love free speech.
The church has backed out of evicting them now – they don’t seem to be doing any harm and they’re focussing us all on some very unpalatable truths about our society.
Like the line drawing. You’ve got talent and a good eye.
Although, having been a special constable for two years I do disagree with part of your article. It was freedom which allowed a joe bloggs like me to be a voluntary police officer. It’s freedom that allowed me to leave it when my life became too busy to keep with it. My time there gave me the impression the police force are like any other workplace – filled with generally ok people but just with a few idiots at the fringes. Special’s are just normal people, usually doing extraordinary (or often very, very mundane but necessary) things. But like any mix of normal people there’ll be idiots.
It’s a shame that idiots in the police force have batons and CS spray.
There’ll also be idiots in the anticap camp too…
Will keep an eye on your blogg – like your style.
Thanks Andrew. You’re right, it’s a minority of idiots that spoil it for the majority. I’m a bit sensitive because of artistic friends who have been literally manhandled by people in uniforms who are not police, but some of the problems might also be down to poor training and supervision.