I was fifteen and joined the school walk out. It was incredibly powerful to stand up to teachers trying to stop us leave, the police (who'd brought horses) and the media who said we were just there for a day off school. I remember chanting outside the US embassy, climbing over the fence to the garden; the freedom of teenagers with no fear. The day Iraq was invaded I cried because it all felt like the protests were for nothing. It's a feeling I have had many times since! But I grew up protesting and my daughter was only 7 weeks old for her first one. I love them. I love the music, the banners, the smiles, the chats. So it's always worthwhile for me.
Thank you for sharing that Grace. I went on the march as well. It was the Iraq war that radicalised me and eventually led to my climate activism. I think for many, like your parents, it was a turning point in their lives.
I'm not at all surprised to hear that you were there Dave! A huge turning point for many of us, I think. Had you been politically active at all prior to the march?
I was fifteen and joined the school walk out. It was incredibly powerful to stand up to teachers trying to stop us leave, the police (who'd brought horses) and the media who said we were just there for a day off school. I remember chanting outside the US embassy, climbing over the fence to the garden; the freedom of teenagers with no fear. The day Iraq was invaded I cried because it all felt like the protests were for nothing. It's a feeling I have had many times since! But I grew up protesting and my daughter was only 7 weeks old for her first one. I love them. I love the music, the banners, the smiles, the chats. So it's always worthwhile for me.
Thanks for sharing Rosa! I love being at protests with you 🌸
Great read! That wakened things within me, although it wasn't until the make poverty history march in 2005 that i really picked up the batton.
make poverty history feels like a really long time ago now, doesn't it! Thanks for reading :)
Thank you for sharing that Grace. I went on the march as well. It was the Iraq war that radicalised me and eventually led to my climate activism. I think for many, like your parents, it was a turning point in their lives.
I'm not at all surprised to hear that you were there Dave! A huge turning point for many of us, I think. Had you been politically active at all prior to the march?
Hi Grace. Before then I was very middle of the road politically. My political views now are quite green - very different from before.