12M MON$T£R MADN€$$ in Manchester

Saturday 12th May saw MON$T£R MADN€$$ take over Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre.

Occupy Manchester constructed a huge monster in solidarity with the global 12M day of action. The many tentacled noctopi was a pop-up exhibition space designed to display protest art and to highlight the financial crisis, environmental destruction, the dismantling of the NHS, lack of affordable housing and other issues affected by the madness of the current monstrous system.

As soon as the monster was heaved upright, a crowd gathered. The curious were given paints, marker pens and paper and were encouraged to create their own protest posters and slogans. Posters from supporters of the Occupy movement and 12M events around the world – including Portugal, Spain and London – were pinned up in solidarity with activists around the globe. There was a buzz of excitement as people stuck hundreds of pictures and messages over the body and legs of the monster, while others gathered to read them and watch the action.

The sun shone down on the only dry day for weeks, music played over the mobile PA system, lively discussions took place in the crowd and part of the GlobalMay Manifesto was read out. People from the Occupy Manchester network, regular faces from the Manchester activist community, Love Police main man Charlie Vietch and an eloquent young passerby took to the Open Mic to talk about the banking crisis and how austerity measures affect us all.

Old and new faces came together to participate in a 12M action that was positive and uplifting. Many Spanish occupiers took part and it was inspiring to see young people getting involved. The day showed how art can bring people together to participate in creative protest.

The MON$T£R survived to live another day, so watch out for it at an Occupy near you soon!

By MichManchester, a friend of Occupy Manchester