Occupy Dunedin Protest

Occupy Dunedin protesters spent 66 days camping in the Dunedin Octagon from Saturday 5th October to Friday 23rd December 2011. Their protest was a passive resistance against capitalism and was part of a worldwide movement purporting to represent 99% of society against the wealthiest 1%.

There were 100 protesters at the start, sharing 30 tents, raising awareness of corporate greed, social inequity, the effects of free market economics and environmental issues.

In November, the police surprised the Dunedin City Council by refusing to evict the protesters, advising that such action would not meet the "test of balancing the rights and freedoms of all parties" (Inspector Greg Sparrow, Dunedin-Clutha Area Commander). The group left of their own accord on Friday 23rd December.