More than 150 people have taken part in the Occupy Bristol campaign, setting up camp at College Green as part of the worldwide movement spawned by Occupy Wall Street.
People gathered on Saturday afternoon to protest about social and financial injustice, and the lack of opportunities for work in the UK.
Trade unionists mingled with those who had never protested before, from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, on the green during the day.
The aim is to stay at the green in the same way as protesters in New York have done for many weeks now, and other protests in cities around the world have also begun this weekend.
Late on Sunday, a desperate message asking for supplies was posted on Bristol Indymedia, with protesters asking for tools to help them maintain the camp.
On protester Simon, a software expert from Bristol, was at College Green with his wife and young baby.
“Many people are not economists and so are not particularly able to articulate what exactly it is,” he told Bristol24-7.
“But they are seeing on the news that politicians and financiers have made a mess of things and that the people are going to have to carry the can for it,and that it will affect their lives in all sorts of different ways. Those people then become these people here. They’re not content and they want to come together and show it.”
Similar protests have taken place around the UK this weekend. In London, protesters were continuing to demonstrate near the London Stock Exchange last night.
Up to 100 tents were pitched at a makeshift camp at the foot of the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, though of the thousands of protesters who descended on the area on Saturday, only around 400 remained on Sunday morning.
Attempts to occupy the Stock Exchange in nearby Paternoster Square have been thwarted by police barricades.
Read Robin Whitlock’s blog from the camp here…
Follow the protest on Facebook…
It may be chemically treated artificial green space, but grass is very scarce in the centre of town. The Council Leaders wouldn't have allowed this up in Clifton – where their residents enjoy lots of natural looking green space, good school playing fields, and many private gardens. Nor do they receive anything like the numbers of incomers every day, or put up with heavy through traffic.
This is the time of year when grass needs even more care than usual: there is less sun and light for it to recover, more rain, and the winter lies ahead. Think about it, rather than being shocked.
wow a concern about the welfare of chemically treated artificial open space, over the economic sustainability of the future. its tough being an anarchist, but I think give credit to the people making a stand, and what they do do, is better than criticising the smaller things where the grass will recover and wintertime is a where grass dies back anyway. less impact than a reclaim the streets. always a challege environmentally to make a point and concider other issues. I thank you for what you do do, and wish I was there.
How does grabbing the only bit of grass in that part of the city make a stand against selfishness and greed? This is short-sighted male behaviour, abusing the natural environment as usual, for some allegedly higher purpose on which the rest of us haven't been consulted.
The occupation takes a stand at the very least of solidarity with Occupy Wall St and the 99% movement. Any occupation or protest which garners attention from people, making an environment for discussion and finding common goals is influential. Apologies for the 'higher purpose' that you weren't consulted about, but yet again were we asked our opinion on the bailouts?
As for the 'short-sighted male behaviour' comment, I am too shocked to respond.
Have a good day and maybe head down to college green, people are friendly!