DEMOCRACY UNITES BYRON & BALLINA SHIRES
MARCH IN AUGUST TEAM LAUNCHES PEOPLE IN THE PARK IN BALLINA
On Sunday August 31st Byron & Ballina shires will unite to launch People In The Park – a free family friendly event exploring democracy in Australia, positive change and importance of being active. The concept for the event grew out of the current wave of political activism sweeping across the country that began with the March In March earlier in 2014.
“The March In March was a life changing day for thousands of Australians” said 27 year old year Suffolk resident and People In The Park co-organiser, Timothy Pembroke. “What we saw back in March was our community, young and old side by side passionately participating in democracy. I can understand why media chose to focus on the “ F*** YOU TONY” T Shirts – but they overlooked thousands of us – there to protect Australia’s future.”
[March In August: Meet behind the Ballina Visitors Information Centre, 12pm - march departs at 1.15pm]
[People In The Park: 2pm - Sunset, Missingham Park. Speakers, music, workshops Soapbox - alcohol free. Contact: marchbyronballina@gmail.com to jump on a bus ($5) or carpool from Byron]
Since March there have been weekly public protests across the country about issues ranging from protection of Asylum Seekers , The Barrier Reef and most recently the broken election promises with budget cuts to Medicare, Education and the ABC. “It can be argued that a large share of the content on Facebook has sought to dehumanise Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and the gang, but there have also been many poignant observations by the public. Surely we all want a government that keeps promises, looks after our most disadvantaged and strives to protect environments like the Reef?”
Pembroke said he believes the strength of grassroots democracy is well and truly on the rise thanks to the March In March, the power of social media and community success stories such as the Bentley Blockade. “As a team we’ve spoken at depth about a question: What is the next step for all of this protesting? Do we keep giving all our focus to Tony Abbott, or start spending time on creating ways to engage and empower our communities? We hope People In The Park can become an event that fosters optimism for voters sitting on all sides of the fence.”
People In The Park will begin as at the finish line of the March In August by the water at Missingham Park, Ballina. An exciting program of music and workshops will be announced on Thursday via Facebook with speakers including S Sorrensen (MC), acclaimed journalist/author Margo Kingston, Q and A opportunities with 2015 Ballina State election candidates plus an open public soapbox – reminiscent of days gone by where communities gathered in town squares and parks to speak for the changes they desired.
Pembroke believes People In The Park further add to the snowball effect of the march movement, and continue to breakthrough the “political apathy” that has existed for a long time in Australia. “When it comes to being apathetic I happily admit I’ve been as guilty as anyone. You grow up in this country thinking you only have power at election time, and even then it’s only a choice between 2 parties. But what has become apparent to thousands of us is that politics is about so much more than elections and one man wearing a suit and blue tie. It’s about our health, our education, trust, compassion, the seas, the trees, the sky and our future beyond Tony Abbott.”
Head to People In The Park following the March In August:
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