Went to Green Party of England and Wales Conference in Liverpool from Friday to yesterday ... with a perfectly timed break from the newness of this 'political' - back to the uplifting warmth, solidarity and recognisability of activism on Saturday in London for #TimetoAct2015.
I say 'contrasts' but actually - there were many threads of sameness that ran through it all too...
..from the incredible way this political party does policy making (I likened it to a calmer version of an Occupy London General Assembly). EVERY one had a say if they chose to have it. NO policy was dictated by any central body - but had been raised from initial idea stage by an individual, nurtured by a working-group that formed around it, put to an online forum for refining and eventually... if it got through the sometimes frustrating but exacting and necessary human-filter - made it to the floor of the conference for a vote. I was in total agreement with some that came to the vote - and not at all sure about one or two others. BUT I trust the process, I trust the ethic at the heart of this party and I know, I may not always be right (ouch lol!!).
...to the fascinating way I have seen the activism and movements I am honoured to be involved with - grow to encompass swathes of people from 'everyday life'. This growth is more significant by its 'types' than its hard-to-measure numbers; the 20,000+ #TimeToAct Climate March on Saturday was dusted with the most beautiful familiar faces from the anti-fracking movement, Occupy, Green Party, Friends of the Earth, Black Bloc and social justice movements BUT it was mostly, more vastly made up of 'everyday people' breaking from 'everyday lives' because everyday life - is no longer tolerable. Each who came had clearly seen injustice and was moved to make a stand, step into an unknown and insist on being part of the solution.
...and then, it was my birthday yesterday and I came home to the gift of warm bed, sanctuary, family and a much desired day in. Along with the best Facebook wall I could hope for - it was messages of happy birthday and above all support and encouragement of friends from the many parts of my life that seem to be finding a distinct harmony.
My birthday wish has been granted too many times to dare wish for more... much love. Namaste Tina xxx
*Some favourite speakers at #TimeToAct were the powerful Francesca Martinez (will find a link to speakers I hope to share shortly), the straight talking, human-before-politician that is Caroline Lucas and Laurel - this one though will take your breath away with the beauty of honesty and freshness of delivery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3zR0SHvZFo
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