Actually Active

I think I can officially say that today was like my own political renaissance; actively doing something instead of just talking about how fucked up something is.

Yesterday I was having an epic discussion with my housemates about my absence from politics and how it was frustrating; and because I work on Saturdays, I often miss out on big action, like the G20 march yesterday, which sounded like the usual fun. I was crushed to be missing out on it, and I did feel a great deal like I was somehow betraying myself and selling out my ideals to work. I know work is a reality, but at least for most people, they have a weekend to claim as their own. Currently, I am happy that I at least have a job of some description, working with great people...but I digress.

"If you're really looking to be involved soon," spake my housemate at the conclusion of this discussion, "then we're doing some action tomorrow."

They then explained to me what we were planning on doing, and how I could be involved.

Firstly, I must state that this was to do with the Israeli/Palestinian situation, and also that ever since I've been aware of the issues, I have always been against the control, repression and violent action that the Israeli military have forced upon the Palestinian people (note "people" and not "Hamas"). This is mostly to do with my utter contempt for colonialisation of any kind, especially when land and resources are violently appropriated by the more physically and militaristically able; but also because after reading into arguments from both sides, there is little to convince me of Israel's position. I have had a lot of issues with this viewpoint because people think I am anti-Jewish, which is not only highly incorrect but also entirely baffling as I have an enormous respect for Jewish culture (ask any of my close friends, seriously) but at the end of the day, this is not to do with my feelings towards religions, but a great deal to do with humanitarianism; my passion for it and Israel's disregard of it.

Israel has profited a great deal from exporting goods cultivated on illegally appropriated settlements on Palestinian land, mostly fresh produce such as avocados, tomatoes and citrus fruits; a boycott of all these products has been called by those whose land has been effectively stolen in the occupied territories. This is something a lot of people I know support, and thus try and avoid food which has been grown on these settlements. The issue with this is that a lot of people outside of these groups don't know about what is happening, and the only way to increase the impact of a boycott and make it more effective is to spread the message and thus increase the impact of the boycott.

Our way of spreading the message was simple; go to supermarkets, locate these goods, put them into baskets or trolleys, and lock them together with another basket/trolley, with some flyers and leaflets, and then to take photos to document our actions. To imprison the food was a symbolic (and peaceful) gesture, labelling them essentially as stolen goods, or the result of a crime, which is effectively what they are.

The first place we went to was small, and a member of staff in there became overly aggressive quite quickly, slowing our escape after successfully securing the baskets. We regrouped and decided to go to a larger supermarket slightly further away than another we had planned to target, using trolleys instead. Another member of our group and I decided to keep an eye on the others so we could hold open any doors if they tried to shut the exit, and this time it was relatively quick and easy from what I saw of it.

After we emerged and had walked down the road, a stationary police vehicle on the other side pulled out and started to follow us; when we were walking down the road they got out...and some of them were an FIT team, complete with photographer! Joyous. One of us suggested we do not answer any questions and to keep on walking, which we did. The FIT photographer circled us, taking a lot of photographs, and calling one of our contingent by name; he did the same back. Another of us flipped the coin and took loads of photos of the police who were following us (soon to be on FITWatch, apparently). We said nothing to the police, and after a while they dropped behind, so we carried on walking.

After a while we agreed the game for the day was up, so called two of our group who had headed somewhere else. We informed them of the situation, trying to arrange somewhere else to meet. While we were waiting for their arrival I thought it would be best to ask about stop and search policies and what to say and how to act during them. In my many years of activism, all I knew about the police in these situations was being around them is a bad idea, and if I was involved in something, to get the fuck away from them as quickly as possible. I've held that view since I was 12, so felt it needed updating, as just running away isn't an option so valid anymore, as a 23 year old adult!

I have decided to not feel worried about asking questions, so I asked quite a lot and felt that I understood far greater how the police work. One thing I do understand is it is highly bloody hilarious that the FIT team were patrolling around and walked straight past us while they were quite obviously trying to locate us...and they didn't even see us. One of the funniest moments ever, seriously.

After a quick discussion, we decided to split up and head to wherever we all needed to go. I needed to go home anyway, and here I am, typing this out.

So today has been an interesting experience. Not that this is the first time I've done this; in my time I've done a lot of stuff in regards to sabotaging sweatshop-sourced produce. Well, not the produce itself (apart from one glorious fake-blood throwing occasion) but sneakily appropriating designs and instead making them have anti-sweatshop messages, putting them amongst the shop's stock. The fantastic thing about that method is how annoying it is for the shop to find all the self-made shirts. So many stories.

But for now, today was a welcome return to actually being active and getting out there and doing something. If it means the police are now going to hunt me down and start taking note of everything I do, then so be it. Because this is a world that is mine, on streets that I live on; and if I can make a message call out into streets I call my own and people hear it...well, that's something, isn't it? Better than sitting back and hoping someone makes a change for me.

I'm out.

Til next time,

LPK

FitWatch

Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign

Jews4BIG@googlemail.com