1 Jan 2020 DRAFT

During the week the invitation to create placards was supported. Many wore the Re-
Awaken 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 the 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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