The Great and Powerful Oz

-

Killing puppies. Arresting people for outdoor gatherings. Police urging citizens to inform on their neighbours, friends, and family. 

This time last year Australia was bragging about how they had so quickly and efficiently eradicated covid. Granted, the early border closure was valid, but it's a short term solution that was continued far beyond its value. And stranding 40,000 of their own citizens overseas is the tip of the heartless iceberg of Australia's policies. 

Despite their original lockdown only lasting 2 months, the level of cooperation seems to have spurred on some far nastier actions. Firsthand accounts describe the military escort to hotel prisons upon arrival in the country - negative tests not accepted - where incoming travellers are locked up for weeks with dire looking food rations and little to no exercise. Police have arrested people for attending protests, planning protests, or even just posting on social media that they would like to attend a protest. 

One of the more disturbing actions taken by New South Wales council recently has been the murder of 15 rescue dogs - including 10 puppies - to prevent volunteers from travelling to and from the shelter. The merciless slaughter has been widely criticised by the shelter volunteers, animal rights campaigners, and even local government officials. A spokesman confirmed that staff are allowed to work at animal shelters even during a lockdown, and said "Councils are also encouraged to continue to work with re-homing organisations and volunteers to care for animals, where that can be undertaken consistent with NSW Health advice,". It alarms me slightly that the authorities had the confidence to make such a diabolical move - do they not expect a backlash? Do they have their people under such a crushing control that nothing could break it? 

The good news is that New South Wales has seen a good deal of protest activity this weekend. More than 60 people were arrested and hundreds were given Penalty Infringement Notices, which gives an encouraging idea of how many people actually attended. Other sources report over 1,000 attendees - and a horse! The police were clearly aware in advance of the plan however they did not authorise the protest or work with organisers. The crowds were not deterred by the daily threats posted on the NSW Police social media pages. One post included the words "there will be nowhere to hide if you are doing the wrong thing". 




In 2019 I would never have believed someone who told me that Australia would soon be terrorising its own citizens in this way. Then again a lot of things have happened that I wouldn't believe. We need to recognise that these horrors are slowly but surely coming our way, and it's the slowness that makes them so hard to recognise. 
I think one way of increasing resistance might be to ask people where they draw the line. Because once they've thought about it and defined it, they're more likely to fight when that line is inevitably crossed. Is it the children? Puppies? Another lockdown? Ask people what they won't tolerate, and let them know they'll be supported when that time comes. 


To be notified when a new blog post is uploaded, please follow @antilockdownlogic on instagram and turn on notifications (clear instructions shown in Post Alerts page. Return to main feed and click Post Alerts at the top).

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-rescue-dogs-shot-dead-in-australia-over-coronavirus-restrictions-12388537

https://twitter.com/7NewsAustralia/status/1429297085141028864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1429297085141028864%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Faustralia-news%2Flive%2F2021%2Faug%2F22%2Faustralia-covid-news-update-fears-anti-lockdown-rallies-will-worsen-spread-victoria-in-statewide-lockdown-gladys-berejiklian-nsw-sydney-coronavirus-pfizer-vaccine-scott-morrison-daniel-andrews%3Fpage%3Dwith3Ablock-6121d3368f08f7d07c05a3c2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Infamous Maskless Shop

-
Image
On Saturday, some friends and I went to the shop. A year ago, you'd have said "so?". This year, it's gone semi-viral on twitter - Simon Dolan, Gillian McKeith, and David Kurten have all weighed in with their support.  If you've been exercising your exemption, you know that going to the shop can be an ordeal. Workers who are misinformed of the law asking to see your exemption card, asking you to "wait outside" if you don't have an exemption card, some even ask what makes you exempt! It's all highly invasive and unnecessary (not to mention illegal). This is why we went as a group - for strength in numbers, to do something normal and not be harassed for it. Did we organise it? Yes. Did it make a statement? Sure. But the point to emphasise is that what we did was normal. We went to the shops together because we're friends.  Queueing up outside the shop, we were asked if we were all together. Once we said we weren't, that was that. No one both
Read more

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

-
 When someone criticises my articles, the first thing I ask them is "have you read it?". More often than not, they say no. They might say "I don't need to!" or "I know what it will say", but if you don't know for sure what you're taking issue against, that's a hell of a gamble with which to begin your argument.  This is how it's come about that people have decided I am "anti-vaxx", or a "crazy conspiracy theorist". If you've read my other posts you'll be aware that this is not the case, but people glancing at my Facebook feed may get a different impression. I'm not usually one to be bothered by people making false assumptions about me, because if people don't want to take the time to get to know me that's their problem. But when it comes from people who preach aggressively about being considerate of others, showing kindness and acceptance, thinking before you speak and keeping an open mind, it doe
Read more

A Stand In The Park

-
Image
  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 Rap
Read more