'Wise men go the other way' what would you do?
police becoming knitivists - 'resist' war 'love' your enemy 'life' insist on it
finger knitting peace - (knittivism spreads)
A bunch of mixed faith nonviolent, calm interventionists went 'the other way' to address the necessity of speaking out that life is worth loving, appreciating and the poor, weak and destitute are our brothers and sisters. They included catholic workers, a mennonite and a few other faith based nonviolent anarchists. Others not able to be there were very much part of this community and contributed with essential childcare, hospitality and their insights / reflections etc.
Carrying banners, one of which stated that 'wise *men go the other way', lengths of finger knitting, which were seen on the ground stating our need and call on Northwood to 'resist (the killing of innocents) and love (humanity)' and 'life' (insist on it), as well as materials for a makeshift shrine a liturgy was begun and ended amidst opposition by local police.
Whilst there was some threats of using pepper spray (was not used) and minor brutality by the police it was because they were frightened and did not know how to handle people nonviolently, training was offered though not at this point taken up. They did later calm, and nearby service men were concerned about their behaviour and said so (royal marines).
One man (a royal marine) approached those on the opposite side of the road in uniform and thanked a particular woman who was calling out the role call (of names for our memorial of those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq).
This 'booktneck' (royal marine) had friends who had seen others pals killed, he cared that he was not seen as evil, he wasnt. This was a moving numan moment, and I can not detail it well enough myself and I very much respect this courage and vulnerabilty.
**(they we meant woman too).
(Dedicated to S).
Carrying banners, one of which stated that 'wise *men go the other way', lengths of finger knitting, which were seen on the ground stating our need and call on Northwood to 'resist (the killing of innocents) and love (humanity)' and 'life' (insist on it), as well as materials for a makeshift shrine a liturgy was begun and ended amidst opposition by local police.
Whilst there was some threats of using pepper spray (was not used) and minor brutality by the police it was because they were frightened and did not know how to handle people nonviolently, training was offered though not at this point taken up. They did later calm, and nearby service men were concerned about their behaviour and said so (royal marines).
One man (a royal marine) approached those on the opposite side of the road in uniform and thanked a particular woman who was calling out the role call (of names for our memorial of those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq).
This 'booktneck' (royal marine) had friends who had seen others pals killed, he cared that he was not seen as evil, he wasnt. This was a moving numan moment, and I can not detail it well enough myself and I very much respect this courage and vulnerabilty.
**(they we meant woman too).
(Dedicated to S).
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meanings
29.12.2006 01:08
1 a doctrine emphasising vigorous or militant knitting activity, e.g. the use of knitting in mass demonstrations, urban interventions, in controversial, unusual or challenging ways, esp political, causes.
2 the systematic use of knitting for political ends. knittivist n and adj
see:
LHM
I like knitting and want to do this
29.12.2006 10:13
I am starting to learn to knit myself are there any good patterns that are good for going to these places, or is it best to ask my mum for a jumper pattern. What works best?
Tracy
tracy d
Blasphmers are destroying Iraq and Afghanistan
29.12.2006 10:53
No WMD were found in Iraq and yet the blasphemers destroyed the country to protect the Jewish state of Israel established under Mat.13.24-30. You cannot expect piece in Israel.
In 2012, world War is expected and these blasphemies would add up. Blasphemers would be punished as after the death of Jesus at the Trial when the blasphemers were punished and thrown out of Israel for ever till today bundled up for final burning. Story of Vinepress was fulfilled when the Temple was destroyed and given to Indians of the Punjab. What gold has to do with God?
ch. rajinder nijjhar
e-mail:
rajinder.nijjhar@ntlworld.com
Homepage:
http://www.nijjhar.freeserve.co.uk
Peace NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
29.12.2006 18:41
I love those direct actions, I really do, I think it's a brilliant way of showing discontent, I am also one of the more pacifist leaning on this site, but I look at all those actions, I see the mass protests, the civil disobedience, I part take in them too. I know that have it been a democracy, or have these actions been effective, they would of created enough pressure to stop all the madness, and the war in particular. But they didn't, They are being ignored by ALL MEDIA (Indymedia excluded), they scare nobody, and get no one with any influence to act upon them. At what stage do we say enough? Will we only be listened to if we blow things up? I would like to believe that it isn't the case, but while main stream media and politicians not only ignore us, They bang the drum of supporting our troops now more than ever, they silence us and silence us, they restrict our movement and protests, they use surveillance and fit teams, all so that they can ignore our demand for peace.
Is there a an effective way to stop this without blowing things up? is there a pacifist way of getting peace? I would like to believe there is, but everything we try is not doing it, and the sum of all those things we do are not doing it either. I am not talking about a revolution, I am not asking for a utopia, which really should be our demand, I am demanding much simpler things, I want peace, I want to be listened to now, not in the pages of history. I am not saying we should go on an all out terrorism crusade, I will always object to violence, the kind of violence that actually hurts people that is, but I do think we need to step things up a little. I think we should make them listen, I think trashing politicians cars, destroying recruitment centres, these sort of things are in order now. We just can't be complacent while so many people die.
I guess what I'm saying is that I am getting increasingly frustrated by it all.
John Reid
responses to your comments
30.12.2006 10:44
Somehow I think that we are all frustrated with what is happening in the war zones through perpetual protest etc and we are all negative about rants which are wingeing and abusive. Why might that be because it makes us negative and depressed.
Burning cars would only give a perpetuation of the belief that we have 'to step it up' and then it would get violent and I opppose use of violence or scare tactics or giving out such messages. They are never perceived as helpful.
Rather we need to do what we do and do it well, we need to connect with people and reflect well on what we did and build community in the process. Little by little oh and one other thought, frustration is meant to keep us going not make us stop because we love life and people matter.
In peace,
L Hoppstubbe Mor