Spectacle of Defiance Anti Austerity Protest - 24th 1:00pm

dublin | miscellaneous | event notice Friday November 16, 2012 22:55 by Rita Fagan

What I am writing to you about is the next large protest which is planned to take to the streets of Dublin on Saturday 24th November 2012 at 1:00pm starting from the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square. Again the ‘Spectacle of Defiance and Hope’ will be leading out the protest. It is a pre-budget mobilization a collective gathering of like minded people. The ’Spectacle’ will join with the Trades Council ‘Community Against the Cuts, House Hold Charges, Home Helps’ campaigns and lots of other group issues. The ’Spectacle’ will wear the red t-shirts and use some of their props. If you want to be part of the Spectacle please wear something red. This time we will be using the method of simple song, there is a practice run in Liberty Hall Tuesday 20th from 6.30pm and Wednesday morning 09.30 – 12.00pm.

Dear Friend

I write to you personally as a community leader who believes in the contribution of the community, voluntary and youth sector in its work for social change. I know that you and your project have the same belief and passion for social justice and change. Now more than ever we have seriously got to gather our energy and creativity and join the movement against the policies of austerity on the march of November 24th 2012. These policies will have a huge impact on the lives of the most oppressed in our society.

In 2010 frustrated with traditional protest, a group of community leaders gathered in Dolphin House Dublin to explore the idea of using the ARTS as a means of motivation and bringing something creative to add to the protest struggle and movement.

The idea among the participants in the room that day was based on the fact that the heart was and is been literally ripped out of our communities. We wanted to keep the idea simple so communities could easily participate. We asked people to make white hearts with their messages and wear red t-shirts. This action resulted in the first ‘Spectacle of Defiance and Hope’ emerging onto the streets on the Human Rights day\night of the 10th December 2010. It was amazing! Children, youth, men, women, seniors, Irish travelers and other nationalities joined together to make this statement to the state. Drums, dancers, stilt walkers and large carnival like props were used to make this a peaceful but strong protest.

Our second ‘Spectacle’ was in December 2011 and was themed on ‘Books of Grievances and Hopes’ where communities creatively wrote in their books. These books were taken to the streets, lead by a large Black Horse and a Horse Whisperer wearing the ‘Cloak of Austerity’ followed by children carrying tombstones of the community and youth projects already closed, creating a powerful and moving image.

In May this year the Dublin Trade Council invited the ’Spectacle’ to lead out the May Day March. This we did with the full extent of our creativity even in the consistent rain. The rain did not deter the many who partook in this statement of strong disapproval. We took the opportunity because it is very important that we all join together in these times of drastic changes and because as leaders in the community movement we know and see daily the facts and effects of what communities are experiencing. Thirty years of an organic infrastructure, based on needs is being dismantled in the form of death by a thousand cuts. They are killing us at the moment. We have no other option but to defend and challenge the policies of austerity where we can and as visibly as we can.

What I am writing to you about is the next large protest which is planned to take to the streets of Dublin on Saturday 24th November 2012 at 1:00pm starting from the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square. Again the ‘Spectacle of Defiance and Hope’ will be leading out the protest. It is a pre-budget mobilization a collective gathering of like minded people. The ’Spectacle’ will join with the Trades Council ‘Community Against the Cuts, House Hold Charges, Home Helps’ campaigns and lots of other group issues. The ’Spectacle’ will wear the red t-shirts and use some of their props. If you want to be part of the Spectacle please wear something red. This time we will be using the method of simple song, there is a practice run in Liberty Hall Tuesday 20th from 6.30pm and Wednesday morning 09.30 – 12.00pm.

This gathering will energize you and your community – it will also help you to be part of a collective resistance against the failed policies of cruel austerity where the rich stay richer and the poor die as results of cruel cuts. We ask you to bring along your troops, friends and family to join together in this peaceful declaration of the ‘voices of the people – the right to be heard’! What choices do you have if not at least to take action and to be heard?

This is a war on the poor and the middle of our society! Please come out and join us.

Rita Fagan
Family Resources Centre,
St Michaels
Contact:
Rita Fagan 087 631 9004
John Bissett 087 988 9132
Fidelma Bonass 087 124 9066

Spectacle of Defiance Anti Austerity Protest - 24th 1:00pm 0.33 Mb