ACTIVISM RUNS DEEP FOR CORACORRÈ, WHO WENT ON HER FIRST PROTEST WITH HER GRANDMOTHER VIVIENNE WESTWOOD WHEN SHE WAS JUST SIX YEARS OLD. HERE, SHE WRITES ABOUT THE POWER OF RESISTANCE, THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRED HER AND ISSUES A CALL FOR CHANGE
WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY CURRENTLY SEEKING TO CONTROL, criminalise and demonise the act of protesting while simultaneously promoting itself as a bastion of democracy and freedom of speech.
Brexit is allowing an erosion of regulations and protections of our human rights, our environment and the food we eat. Even our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights is under threat.
We must remember that peaceful protest has been the main cause of monumental change for the better across the world: women’s rights and votes, police reforms, anti-discrimination laws, workers’ rights, trade unions, civil rights and the ending of the war in Vietnam, to name just a few.
Campaigning on the climate crisis and environmental issues has also been a catalyst to force change at a government-policy level. However, campaigners have to remain vigilant to try to ensure that these policies are not watered down and green-washed as a result of the pressures put on our governments by corporate influence and corruption.
Rishi Sunak has recently announced that, soon, you could face prison time and a fine if you wear a mask while protesting, or for being too loud. The Metropolitan Police Service has come into conflict with the current government, flagging its concern on the right to protest and, thus, on the infringement of human rights.
Human-rights organisations unanimously agree these policies are an attack on all of our civil liberties.
Civil liberties are a precious cornerstone of any democracy. When they are removed, democracy perishes with them.
When the climate reaches a point where protest against something you believe to be fundamentally wrong places you at risk of being arrested, do you continue to suffer in silence? Or does the risk of arrest no longer hold any fear for you?
All too often, people don’t realise something has been taken away until the day they need it and discover it’s not there any more.
I went to my first protest in 2003, against the imminent war in Iraq, alongside my mother, father, family and friends, marching with over a million people. It is known as the largest UK protest in history to date and also took place in 600 cities as an ongoing series of events opposing the invasion, war and occupation in Iraq.
Tony Blair’s legacy is that he will be remembered for ignoring the people and going into the disastrous war in Iraq anyway.
Activism is something that I feel brings individuals together around a common purpose or goal. It can also be a catalyst to promote intellectual ideas and thoughts through conversation and learn
