'I set up camp at St Paul's Cathedral…'

I made the journey to London alone. The closest my friends ever come to being interested in politics is complaining about the annual hike in cigarette duty, so trying to get them involved in Occupy London was a lost cause.
 
I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd never been to anything like it before and on that first day it felt like things could go either way. When we were turned back from the entrance of Paternoster Square I was worried it could turn into a repeat of the chaotic G20 protests two years ago.
 
The police were kettling people, penning them in, and some scuffles broke out as they tried to move the crowds off the front steps of St Paul's. But this is a peaceful, non-violent movement and gradually the police realised that we weren't there to cause trouble but to exercise our right to protest.
 
What has happened since is remarkable. There has been a real change in atmosphere. From the supportive words of Giles Fraser, the Canon Chancellor of St Paul's, to the U-turn on legal action by the City of London, it has gone from being a tense, edgy demonstration to a relaxed and friendly community.
 
In fact, many of the police I saw lining the steps of St Paul's on the first day have returned to patrol the site and are now as approachable and familiar as the protesters.
 
This has allowed everyone to get down to the business of making sure we're equipped to stay healthy and happy over the coming months. No small feat as the winter closes in, bringing with it the strong winds that funnel through the buildings at night.

It's become a little city within the City, a polar opposite to the banks and institutions that caused the crisis and have learned nothing from their mistakes. I've been surprised at how quickly people have split off and used their skills to take on responsibility for the services that keep things ticking over.
 
I spent the first few days helping out in the technology tent. What started out as a tarpaulin covering two laptops has turned into the camp's nerve centre, with volunteers working late into the night.
 
It's not uncommon to see people collapsing from near exhaustion or drinking far more Red Bull than should be possible. We've since been given donations of more equipment and set up a live video stream which we've used to film talks and capture a bit of the lighter side of life on the site. This has been broadcast to thousands of people all over the world not able to come and join us.
 
Most of the people I've met have shredded the stereotype that protestors are lazy, jobless or just layabouts. The people here have show an extraordinary level of commitment, many taking time off work, neglecting friends and spouses, and spending hundreds of pounds of their own money keep this occupation afloat. 
 
When I talk to people about Occupy London, their first question is normally 'what do you guys actually want?' This is a question that’s been particularly difficult for journalists, who have trouble understanding a protest that doesn’t revolve around a single issue. 
 
From what I've seen, people here are united by a sense that things can't go on as they are and that the current system isn't sustainable. The Occupy movement isn't looking to impose a single policy or fight against any one political party. It wants a change in direction. Not necessarily anti-capitalist, but an alternative that works for everybody. Right now that isn't happening.
 
I've been to talks from investment bankers explaining the dirty dealings of the City, seen lectures by well-known academics such as Richard Wilkinson, marched on the Goldman Sachs offices, and even been on a field trip for a teach-in at Canary Wharf.
 
All of this is turning people like me from well-meaning average Joes into well-informed and confident activists. We will be engaged with these issues long after everyone packs up and goes home and that - rather than any single change in policy - will be the legacy of the camp. That's what makes it important and it is worth spending so many cold nights living under canvas.

Alex Bennett was talking to Simon Freeman in early November.


More in our 'I was there' series

'I travelled 3200 miles to see the Royal Wedding'
'I was in Tokyo when the quake hit'
'I helped clear up after the London riots'
'I was tear gassed in Cairo'
'I helped in the battle to overthrow Gaddafi'