Stalwarts of Occupy: Betty

Occupier and OT reporter Emma Fordham chews the fat with another of Occupy London’s familiar faces.

EM: When did you arrive at OLSX?

BETTY: Just before Christmas.

EM: What brought you here?

BETTY: I read about it in newspapers. I was having my own personal credit crisis and needed to do something positive about that. I didn’t know when I turned up how long I’d stay, I’ve just been living from day-to-day, not thinking about the future.

EM: What were you doing before you came to St Paul’s?

BETTY: I was living in Hampstead, writing a book. I put the book on the internet – it’s called The Buzzing Guns in the Battle for Light and it’s a book for these times, there’s stuff in it that’s symbolic of what is going on right now. I ran out of money while writing the book.

EM: What have you been doing while staying at the OLSX camp?

BETTY:  I’ve mainly been helping in the kitchen. I was drawn to the atmosphere there.

EM: Why did you decide to stay?

BETTY: On arriving in the camp I walked into a wave of generosity. I didn’t have to justify myself. I was welcomed and it was heart-warming. I had my first ever Christmas without cash and for the first time I really felt the spirit of Christmas. I was given food, a tent… it was an amazing lesson, I’ve learnt that the universe will provide.

EM: Is camping in the city a hardship or a joy?

BETTY: Not hardship, not joy… There are elements of both. It has been a tremendous eye-opener.

EM: Of all the issues Occupy aims to address, what are the most important for you?

BETTY: I just want lasting positive change towards a fairer system.

EM: Tell me three things about the current system that you’d most like to change…

BETTY:  Oh, I don’t know at the moment what the best three would be. I can come up with some ideas… The top financiers who messed up should go without bonuses and fat pensions. I’d like to see a better value system based on fairness and kindness. And I’d like to replace any incompetent, unethical people in powerful positions with people more able to create a more just and better world. I might change my mind on these later, it’s a difficult question.

EM: What do you think Occupy has achieved so far?

BETTY: On a practical level what we’ve done in the camp is amazing. We’ve opened people’s eyes, we’ve had a masses of public support and there has been an enormous amount of giving and generosity. It is incredible how a few hundred people can be fed three times a day – and given hot drinks too – from two small gas burners. And there’s no judging. Everyone is welcome, from the bankers to the rough sleepers.

EM: Where will you go after St Paul’s?

BETTY: Finsbury Square is probably the next step. I’m going to take one day at a time and see what happens. I want to feel as though I’m learning and moving forwards but I don’t have a clear view of the future.