The world is waking up. We have gathered. Frisson, you feel it in the air. Marching footfall loud, defiant, gathering motion sends shivers, vibrates underground, signals notice forward. We are here. Solidarity breathes as one, voices in unison chant, drums beat, disturbed tranquillity unsettles ordinary streets. Banners snap above heads proudly held high. We are united. Bearing the load is the unmistakable smell of passion, burning rage, and flares. Change is near.
Civil disobedience is a public, non-violent, and conscientious breach of law undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in laws or government policies. People engage, willing to accept the legal consequences of their actions, showing fidelity to the rule of law. Civil disobedience falls between legal protest on one hand, and conscientious refusal, revolutionary action, militant protest, and organised forcible resistance, on the other. Dissent under these terms, like change over time, was defended in law by John Rawls in 1971. Demos? I’m all for them.
Raised to action on the revolutionary streets of Melbourne in the 70s – moratorium marches – anti-American war in Vietnam, stop conscription, stop Springboks tour -anti-apartheid day of action, boycott companies products and services profiting from war, May Day rallies, political rallies, rallies for social change, Gay Liberation public forums, raise up the left – It’s Time, Gough for PM. Heady days for a young white man coming of age.
In pre Covid-19 travel days I breathed new life, my spirits soared. In eight major international cities mass demonstrations filled the street, almost as if they knew I was coming. Some bake a cake; others go out in mass demos. Oh! Joy.
London, United Kingdom:
International Workers Day rally in Trafalgar Square. It is with pride International Workers Day began in Australia on April 21, 1856. Stonemasons in Victoria undertook a mass stoppage as part of the 8-hour day movement. It became a yearly commemoration, with a date change to 1st May.
Tangier, Morocco:
Day of action as workers take to the street for May Day.
Paris, France:
Public rally in Rue de Republic as Emmanuel Macron takes presidency and the left take to the streets putting him on notice, “Yes, you beat Marine Le Pen (far-right Front National candidate) but you are still a centrist. We are watching.”
Phnom Penh, Cambodia:
Freedom Park opposition leader Sam Rainsy welcomed back from exile ahead of national election. International observers claim national election stolen by Hun Sen.
Madrid, Spain:
World Pride Week and transgender acceptance day begins in Plaza del Sol before marching through street.
Rome, Italy:
Gay Pride march through central Rome.
Tunis, Tunisia:
Muslims gather to protest Israel’s bombing of Palestinians.
Athens, Greece:
Greece has gifted the modern world the Acropolis, Olympic Games, Zorba’s Dance, Nana Mouskouri, dolmades, tzatziki, and Demos Roussos. Today, in the crucible of democracy, streets fill as pensioners march and rally outside parliament protesting further austerity budget cuts.
A history of protest can be read on banners and placards providing the best editorial, a succinct summation of the action at hand. Across the years three struck a chord so loudly they remain impinged in my mind.
“Fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity”
Swanson St, Melbourne, 1972
“I’ve seen smarter Cabinets at Ikea”
National strike led by Australian school kids demanding Federal Parliament take immediate action on climate change. Australia, 2019.
“I will not stay silent so that you can stay comfortable.”
Timeless.
Both sides of the political divide have given tepid support for citizen’s right to freedom of assembly but not without official permissions, provisos, precautions, and caveats. Extinction Rebellion suitably ruffle privileged plumage holding rolling demonstrations drawing fierce condemnation from inconvenienced public, direct opponents, police, and politicians for their disruptive actions. This surely means a successful demonstration achieving goals.
Making change. Over years we have drifted. Far right. Civil disobedience is the way back. I wish it was mandatory at least once in everyone’s life. Appearing in a flash mob ought to be compulsory as well. Take back the streets! Now more than ever. Participate.