My First Protest Rally!

[Kookaburra]

This is intended as an account of a personal experience, not a debate on the issue involved. Please respect that.

I'm 51 years old and I've never been to a protest rally or march.

Today was my first and it was such fun I think I'd love to do one every week!

First, it involved a 2 hour trip to Brisbane, Queensland's capital city.

I had dinner with the organizer and the keynote speaker the night before, and stayed overnight with my Zaar friend Chrissyo and her daughter Megs (who also joined us for dinner).

After dinner, Megs said, "I'd like to come to that rally tomorrow!" I couldn't have been more proud if she'd been my own daughter.

So, early in the morning, Chrissy, Megs and I got up and got ourselves into the city - Chrissy to work, Megs and I to Parliament House to meet our fellow protestors. It was wet and cold and dark, but we were undeterred!

Americans will be surprised to hear that in Australia, our constitution has been deemed to provide no formal separation of religion and state and that, in our state of Queensland, public education is not secular. We were protesting to have the kind of protections that Americans have through your first amendment.

A fairly rag-tag mob of protesters gathered at the gates of Parliament House, Brisbane, and we brandished placards and handed out information leaflets. Cars tooted, people were interested, and even one politician, on his way into parliament stopped to give us his support. We danced, we sang:
"Cause we've got - (secularity)
Walk - (secularity) talk - (secularity)
Smile - (secularity) ..."

We tried hard to get arrested but all the passing policemen just smiled and waved at us!

I met an old friend I hadn't seen for 15 years or more and we picked up right where we'd left off.

I met some wonderful new friends - both my own age and some great university students.

After the rally we all trekked off to have cappuccinos and cake and then I found myself walking through the city with some exceptionally gorgeous young radicals who walked rather faster than my creaking bones were happy with!

Whatever it is you believe in, I can highly recommend that you stand up for it if you get a chance. It was such fun doing something positive with like-minded people, feeling that I had, at last, taken advantage of my right to 'free assembly' and that, maybe, must maybe, we'd made a tiny bit of difference.

Mother Kooka was rather disappointed that she didn't have to bail me out of the watch house, and evil twin cousin Doug was anxiously awaiting a photo of me being tazered. But, unfortunately, the only photo I have is of me waving a placard and having a heap of fun!



Oh! And I'm wearing a scarf that our own Zaar member, Happy Harry sent me! Thanks Harry! Fortuitously it was in the 'secular' colours of purple and yellow!

[Dib's]

Kookaburra wrote:


Americans will be surprised to hear that in Australia, our constitution has been deemed to provide no formal separation of religion and state and that, in our state of Queensland, public education is not secular. We were protesting to have the kind of protections that Americans have through your first amendment.

Whatever it is you believe in, I can highly recommend that you stand up for it if you get a chance. It was such fun doing something positive with like-minded people, feeling that I had, at last, taken advantage of my right to 'free assembly' and that, maybe, must maybe, we'd made a tiny bit of difference.

So very important!!!! I wish you all the luck in the world-the only way to make a difference is to stand up for what you believe in and use your voice-you never want to lose that!!!

[Ducky]

It is a great feeling to stand up for what you believe in. Kudos to you.

I too believe in the separation of church and state. Good luck to you.

[Mami J]

How nice to have the opportunity to take a stand for what you believe, I think I am envious! I've always wanted to go to march or demonstration, mainly the ones for peace and justice in my country.
A few years ago, there was a city ordinance that you couldn't have loud music playing in your car, no matter what the time of the day or night. My husband owns a car audio shop/store and he is very well known and liked in our small town. Tons of young kids and adults alike went to him to complain about this ordinance, it was okay with everyone if there was a curfew for loud music, but not during the day! So they finally got together to demonstrate outside the town hall. I really wanted to go, but I had to stay with the kids They got the ordinance overturned and instead a curfew of 10:30 pm is the law now.
I think that you can have a impact in society, it is just a matter of will and finding the right cause for you.

[K9 Owned]

Excellent Kooka! I haven't done anything like that for 20+ years. There is a wonderful feeling of camaraderie at events like that. It is also good to show govt's what the people want!
You go girl!

[mikeyp]

You're dealing with an issue which I heavily support...go with it!

[Bellamarie.]

I love it Kooka. We had this discussion one night in chat & you are right on the money, everyone was quite shocked when I mentioned our system. Seems very archaic (sp? to lazy to look it up, sorry!) & shocking that we all accept it is so.

Sorry to admit that I have never done anything to protest about it but I sure am glad that you all did. Good job!

edited because I was going to add a comment that would prob get me in trouble here. Not the right place.

[eatrealfood]

mikeyp wrote:
You're dealing with an issue which I heavily support...go with it!

Same here. Thanks for lending your voice to an extremely important issue.

[rangapeach]

Good on you, Kooka!

[conniecooks]

What fun, and I agree, religion has no place in the public school system!

[Stella Mae]

conniecooks wrote:
What fun, and I agree, religion has no place in the public school system!

I support that 100% and then some!

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

Hi Kooka!

You go girl!

[Happy Harry #2]

All Right Kooka! This is a show of why I love and respect you so much! You are a woman who speaks her mind, stands for what she believes in (not just lip service) and yet is 100% a lady! And....even more than that....you show what good taste you have by wearing the scarf I sent you....outstanding!

[Pot Scrubber]

Our recent discussion was an eye opener for me! Boo hiss to oppression in the OZ public school system!

Go Kooka! Go Kooka!Go Kooka!

Congrats on not getting tazered!

[Saralaya]

Kooka- First of all-congrats on your first demonstration from an old veteran of many here. It's very empowering to have that feeling that by getting together with others you can make an important statement and hopefully influence those in charge. Peaceful demonstrations are a powerful force. I hope you are successful, church/state separation is an important concept in my opinion.