A Stand In The Park

 



Both a literal and metaphorical stand, groups from all over England have been convening every Sunday in parks to share thoughts and ideas in defiance of the inhumane restrictions imposed by the Johnson regime. 

Our stand, in Chelmsford, began with just four attendees, including myself. 5 weeks on, our numbers are 5 times as many and growing strong. Every week with the mix of first-timers, regulars, and people who come when they can, I get to meet and talk with a variety of amazing people who never fail to brighten my day. Being in a natural space with people who are not afraid of an uncovered smile, who don't treat one another as though we are "unclean" - it's a breath of fresh air in more ways than one. 

It is a fundamental part of human life to gather with others. We gather to celebrate, to mourn, to worship, to work, and to simply share our experiences. The United Nations considers solitary confinement exceeding 15 days to be torture - Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on torture, even refers to "lockdown" by name. Rule 43 of the Nelson Mandela Rules prohibit specifically "prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement". Defiance of torture should have no question of morality applied to it, no person can respectably look me in the eye and tell me torture is justified. 

By taking part in the Stand, we are recognising that keeping hold of our humanity is more important than getting in trouble, or getting dirty looks (which, believe me, we've had plenty of). Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear". Children being isolated to the point of mental illness, suicide and self harm is more important than fear. Children being masked and medically invaded is more important than fear. A massive rise in unemployment, poverty, and homelessness is more important than fear. The elderly being isolated from loved ones and approached in makeshift hazmat suits that alarm and confuse them is more important than fear. Especially when half of that fear has been manufactured by a propaganda campaign that the evidence of our own eyes can easily refute, and the other half is simply not wanting to get in trouble. 

Interestingly, after 5 weeks of doing the Stand, hugging and laughing and dancing together with no masks and no 2 metres... none of us are unwell. If anything, I feel stronger and healthier since joining this group of wonderful people, because as much as I value my alone time, all human beings need social contact. It's in our deepest instincts. (Plus, of course, these people are particularly brilliant. I know they'll be reading and I appreciate you all so much)  

If you put a brick on an egg, it will break. If you put a brick on a box of eggs, they will withstand. We are stronger together. 

To find your local Stand In The Park click here: https://www.facebook.com/astandinthepark/

https://the-great-reopening.com/a-stand-in-the-park-interview-13-04-21/

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-15-freedom-from-torture-or-cruel-inhuman-or-degrading-treatment-or-punishment.html

http://undocs.org/A/RES/70/175

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25633 

Comments

  1. Well said. It's been great to get together with like minded people.

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