2011 The movement started with a series of assemblies at the
Seomra Spraoi social centre. Then, after an online
Facebook and
Twitter campaign, the occupation began on 8 October 2011, a Saturday afternoon, initially with around 60 protesters who set up camp in tents outside the Central Bank's head office on
Dame Street. On 22 October, a demonstration in Dublin city centre organised by the group was reported to have over 2,000 in attendance, including English left-wing activist and
alternative rock musician
Billy Bragg. On 12 November 2011, organisers of the movement marched from the
Garden of Remembrance at
Parnell Square to their "Tent Town" outside the Central Bank. In mid-November 2011, the
Central Bank of Ireland announced it would seek a court order to put an end to the protest taking place outside its headquarters. The group gained the support of Irish musicians
Christy Moore,
Damien Dempsey and
Glen Hansard, who all played separately at the group's "Tent Town" on 8, 23 and 24 December respectively.
2012 as the Irish government delivered its budget on 6 December 2011. The group began their 'Occupy Nama' strategy, whereby group members non-violently occupy
NAMA owned buildings for a brief period of time, usually until the intervention of
Garda Síochána Authorities requested the protesters to postpone the camp for the
Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Parade Grand Marshal
Johnny Giles also suggested the protest move for the parade. Until March 2012, Occupy Dame Street continued to engage in organised meetings, events and actions. Occupy Dame Street's camp was dismantled by Gardaí in the early hours of 8 March during which time some 15 protesters affiliated with the group were present. Protesters announced a demonstration at the Central Bank for later that day and vowed that the destruction of their camp does not mean their quest for justice is over. on the evening of 8 March over 70 people took part in a spontaneous march from Dame Street to a nearby Garda station on
Pearse Street in protest of the removal of the camp. ==Features==