Herbie Murray
Sleeping in public spaces as a form of protest has been observed in various instances. In 2011, Occupy Wall Street protesters were forcibly removed from Zuccotti Park in New York City, with some allowed to return without sleeping gear. Occupy D.C. protesters defied no-camping rules by sleeping under a Tent of Dreams in McPherson Square. In India, artist and activist Jasmeen Patheja founded Blank Noise, an organization that challenges the normalization of sexual misconduct against women in public spaces. As part of their initiatives, they host Meet to Sleep, an annual event where women nap in public parks to assert their right to safety and trust in public spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Protest type | Sleeping in parks |
| Reason | To challenge the idea that women must be responsible for their safety in public |
| Organizer | Artist and activist Jasmeen Patheja |
| Organization | Blank Noise |
| Event name | Meet to Sleep |
| Date | December 16 |
| Location | India |
| Participants | Women |
| Rules | No tents or sleeping bags |
| Previous locations | Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Jodhpur, Hyderabad |
| Related issues | Sexual misconduct, violence, abuse, misogyny |
| Related projects | "I Never Ask For It" |
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What You'll Learn
- Women in India are taking naps in public parks to protest the normalisation of sexual violence
- In 2011, Occupy Wall Street protesters were forcibly removed from Zuccotti Park by police
- In 2012, Occupy DC protesters defied no-camping rules by sleeping under the 'Tent of Dreams'
- Veterans were barred from camping overnight on the National Mall in Washington, D.C
- In 2019, London's Metropolitan Police raided a camp of Extinction Rebellion protesters in Trafalgar Square
Women in India are taking naps in public parks to protest the normalisation of sexual violence
In India, men sleeping in public parks are a common sight, but women are never seen napping in public spaces. To protest the normalization of sexual violence, women in India are taking naps in public parks. This movement, called "Meet to Sleep," was started by artist and activist Jasmeen Patheja through her nonprofit Blank Noise. Blank Noise aims to challenge the idea that women are responsible for ensuring their safety in public spaces and works to transform a culture that tolerates sexual misconduct into a culture of safety and trust.
The act of sleeping in public parks is a bold demonstration of trust and a way to reclaim public spaces. The first "Meet to Sleep" event took place in Bangalore in 2014, and since then, it has expanded to multiple cities across India. During these events, women come together to take naps in public parks, with the number of participants ranging from one to 50 per park. The events last for three hours, with the first two and a half hours dedicated to napping and the last half-hour for women to share their experiences.
The idea for "Meet to Sleep" came about when Patheja felt the urge to take a nap outside but realized she was afraid to do so. She wanted to confront her fears and took a blanket and pillow to a park in Bangalore, where she lay down under a tree. Her first attempt was not peaceful, but it inspired her to dream of thousands of women falling asleep in public parks, challenging the notion that women need to be afraid and constantly vigilant for their safety.
The "Meet to Sleep" movement is part of a larger wave of bold activism in India dedicated to reclaiming public spaces for women and challenging the normalization of sexual violence. In a country where 79% of women report experiencing sexual harassment in public, according to a 2016 survey, these acts of protest are powerful statements of defiance against a culture that often blames victims and normalizes sexual violence.
Through their naps in public parks, Indian women are demanding their right to exist and enjoy public spaces without fear. They are refusing to be confined to their homes after sunset or to constantly police their movements. This form of protest is a way to assert their presence and trust in public spaces and challenge societal norms that contribute to the pervasive issue of sexual violence in India.
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In 2011, Occupy Wall Street protesters were forcibly removed from Zuccotti Park by police
Zuccotti Park, also known as Liberty Plaza Park, became the base for the Occupy Wall Street protesters. On October 10, 2011, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared that the protesters could stay in the park indefinitely. However, this decision was met with opposition from Brookfield Properties, the owner of the park, who cited concerns about unsanitary and hazardous conditions in the park. Despite this, the activists took it upon themselves to clean the park, and Brookfield withdrew its request for police involvement.
However, on November 15, 2011, shortly after midnight, the New York City Police Department gave protesters notice to vacate the park, again citing health and safety concerns. The police, clad in riot gear, began forcibly removing protesters from the park, arresting about 200 people, including journalists. This event marked a turning point for the Occupy Wall Street movement, which largely dissipated after losing its physical base.
The raid on Zuccotti Park also resulted in the destruction of the People's Library, a collection of books that had been shared and organised by the protesters. The library contained over 5,500 books, including rare and historically significant articles. Following the raid, a court settlement was reached, with the city agreeing to pay $360,000 in compensation.
After their eviction from Zuccotti Park, the protesters shifted their focus to occupying banks, corporate headquarters, board meetings, foreclosed homes, college campuses, and maintaining a presence on social media. While the movement continued to organise and protest, it struggled to build a sustainable base of support and gradually faded from public view.
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In 2012, Occupy DC protesters defied no-camping rules by sleeping under the 'Tent of Dreams'
In 2012, Occupy DC protesters defied a no-camping order by the National Park Service by sleeping under the "Tent of Dreams". The tent was a large blue tarp draped over the statue of Civil War Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson in McPherson Square, a park in Washington, D.C. The protesters had been living in the park since October, seeking economic justice in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
The National Park Service had long supported the protesters' right to conduct a 24-hour vigil in McPherson Square, but in January 2012, officials said that camping had to stop due to health, sanitation, and safety concerns. The Park Service set a noon deadline on Monday, January 30, 2012, for the enforcement of the no-camping order. In anticipation of a clash with police, protesters erected the "Tent of Dreams" and spent Monday night huddled under it, singing and sleeping.
However, the anticipated clash with police never materialized. Throughout Monday, several police officers patrolled the perimeter of the park, but they did not take any action to enforce the no-camping order. By late Tuesday, the protesters agreed to take down the "Tent of Dreams" if the police allowed them to continue sleeping in the park. As dusk arrived, both sides were at a peaceful standoff, and no camping arrests had been made.
The Occupy DC movement contended that "money is not speech, corporations are not people, only people have Constitutional rights," demanding a shift of power from the wealthiest 1% of Americans to the underrepresented 99%. The movement was made up of two encampments, each with its own "occupy-themed" newspaper mimicking the Washington Times and Washington Post.
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Veterans were barred from camping overnight on the National Mall in Washington, D.C
In the lead-up to Dewey Canyon III, veterans were barred from camping overnight on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The injunction was issued by the government and was based on National Park Service (NPS) regulations, which defined "overnight camping" as "sleeping activities, or making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedrolls or other bedding), or making any fire, erecting any shelter, tent, or other sleeping accommodation structure, or doing any digging or earth breaking, or carrying on any cooking activities."
The VVAW appealed the decision, and their case moved swiftly through the courts. The National Mall has been a site of protest for various groups, including veterans. In March 2025, thousands of veterans protested against cuts to jobs, services, and benefits implemented by President Donald Trump's administration. This protest was part of a larger movement, with similar demonstrations occurring across the country and at state capitals.
The National Mall has also been a site of protest for other groups, such as the Occupy movement, which was forced to leave Zuccotti Park and faced challenges in finding a new location due to laws and regulations governing public sleep. The question of whether demonstrators could sleep on the National Mall has been a politicized issue, with cities taking different approaches to granting permits.
In the context of political protest, sleeping in public spaces poses a challenge to the social order and has led to clashes between demonstrators and authorities. The right to sleep in public spaces is often restricted by laws and regulations, and protesters must navigate these legal complexities as they seek to make their voices heard.
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In 2019, London's Metropolitan Police raided a camp of Extinction Rebellion protesters in Trafalgar Square
On October 14, 2019, the police issued a revised section 14 order, banning Extinction Rebellion protests across London. The Metropolitan Police said there had been 1,445 arrests by 2 pm London time on Monday, with 76 charged with offences including criminal damage and obstruction of a highway. The police then moved in to clear the Trafalgar Square camp, demanding that protesters remove their tents.
Extinction Rebellion activists described the move as an outrage, calling on the police to respect the law. The police had previously stated that anyone ignoring the ban would be detained and prosecuted.
The protesters had been engaging in civil disobedience for more than a week, targeting government buildings and major financial institutions. Their protests included attempting to shut down London City Airport, spraying fake blood at the Treasury in Westminster, and blocking streets around the Bank of England.
The Metropolitan Police defended their decision, stating that after nine days of disruption, imposing a condition on the protests was reasonable and proportionate.
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Frequently asked questions
Occupy D.C. protesters spent the night in McPherson Square, singing and sleeping under a blue tarp in defiance of rules that prohibit overnight camping in the park. The police arrived in the morning and asked the protesters to remove the "Tent of Dreams", marking their displeasure over the National Park Service's new crackdown against camping on federal land.
Protesters were forcibly removed from Zuccotti Park by the New York City Police Department in the early hours of November 15, 2011, with around 200 arrests made. Protesters were told they could return without sleeping bags, tarps, or tents.
In 2019, London's Metropolitan Police raided the camp of Extinction Rebellion protesters in Trafalgar Square, taking their tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags.
In 2014, artist and activist Jasmeen Patheja organised an event called "Meet to Sleep", where women came together to take naps in public parks. The event was intended to challenge the idea that women must bear the burden of ensuring their own safety in public.
