Page 153 - ReAwaken Ebook 1st Ed

During the week the invitation to create placards was supported. Many wore the
ReAwaken shirts and carried placards, while others handed out copies of the ReAwaken

Manifesto to members of the public in the spirit of new conversations and connection.
The stark reality that emerged during the week was that as the list of those attending the

rally developed, so too did the list of conference participants who felt it was unsafe to
attend – some of whom had even been instructed by employers that they were not to

attend. This group was predominantly people employed by SA HEALTH who felt their jobs

would be at risk had they attended. There is no greater example of the need to change
the conversation from oppression and fear to empowerment and liberation. Those of us

who could attend carried in our hearts the spirit of those who felt the weight of
oppression not to attend.

As we stood to sing Imagine by John Lennon the mix of ardent activism and peaceful
connection worked together to give a voice to our creation from the week. We had

intentionally invited many other groups to join us and witness a small fire on the steps to
pay respect to the traditional owners of the land on which the whole event had been

conjured up, delivered, and then marked by the conviviality on the steps of democracy in
our State. Noise, laughter, slogans of empowerment and, most of all, connection in our

community, brought ReAwaken Australia to close with this meaningful action.

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