The good news is that they stopped playing the macarena and the vaccine ads at 10pm last night. Maybe because they knew people would call noise control? But since we know how little respect Mr Speaker has for the law, probably not.
One of the stories from overnight was a little interaction between one of the police and the people lining the barricades. He came down with a bag of lollies and handed them out to those who were holding the line in the torrential rain. It reminds me of the stories of Xmas Day during WWI, and our fundamental humanity.
I pinched this stunning photo from last night from the Convoy FB page - kiwi power!
Of course the Parliament easy listening session came on again this morning and has been going all day. We have had such gems as Let It Go from Frozen. Apparently James Blunt generously offered his music copyright free to the NZ Parliament if that would help drive the freedom fighters away. While we can't agree with his politics, you have to hand it to him for his ability to make fun of himself. I'm not sure if his generous offer was taken up. That seemed to be one of the major news stories of the day. What are our journos doing? They're not spending their time down at the coal face...
The crowd has taken this in a very good natured way, sometimes singing along, and sometimes drowning the music or the vaccine ads out. Probably the most bizarre of the musical offerings is some very tuneless tootling - maybe Trevor "The Duck" Mallard has started to learn the recorder. Don't give up ya day job, Trev. Though, on second thoughts, keep practicing. You might not have a day job much longer.
Have a listen to some of this live from Alia Bee, one of the amazing women who lead Voices for Freedom. At the start we hear the crowd drowning out the vaccine ad. At about 3 mins, we can see the hay brought in by the farmers to make the ground drier and more stable. Between 3 and 4 mins, you'll hear all you need to hear of the recorder. At about 5:30 a bagpiper comes on to drown it out.
https://www.facebook.com/563589162/videos/664828881314650
The weather has been rather foul today, with rain and gale force winds, but this hasn't dampened the spirits of the crowd. There is still a loving vibe, and a party atmosphere, as you will have seen from the video.
I haven't been down there today. What I've been doing frantically all day would probably be called "comms". Seeing what is being asked for on site and communicating that to my local group. Taking calls and messages from my group that are out on the road and keeping them up to date on what is happening. Passing messages between them when needed. Finding out what we can help with.
I am so incredibly proud of my friends in the local community we've built up over the last few months. They have been cooking up a storm since Monday, and will continue to do so for as long as this takes. Some have been on the road today, sourcing the equipment and supplies that are needed and taking them downtown. Some are helping man (or woman) the support tents that have been set up - for food, medical help, dry clothes and other equipment, admin, spaces for women and children to take some time out, and more.
This spirit of generosity, love and service is mirrored elsewhere in the Wellington community and around the country. I said this a couple of days again, but want to discuss it again. I believe this is a permanent shift in our human consciousness. We won't all stay in this heart energy every minute of every day, we are still human and fallible. But this is a palpable demonstration that there is a new way we can live, where each gives from their abundance and each takes according to their need.
If you've been down there, you know what it feels like. I wonder if all the other convoys feel like this too. How much do you want to live in this heart space permanently? It won't be as straight forward as that, of course, but we now know there is another way.
Time to give a shout out to my friend Rob, who has been coming down from 2 hours up the North Island every day to be here. Since I've got no photos of today, he sent me some. Here you can see that despite the rain, the crowd are still peacefully lining the barricades, and the police are respectfully holding the space. Yesterday, some of them rushed into the crowd, not to disrupt, but because they saw that somebody had collapsed. Let's have faith that most of them are still at their posts to serve their people and honour their oath. Rumour has it that a number resigned after the events of Thursday. But that's not what we want. We need the good cops to stay and be a shining light.
I love this photo too. Do you think it demonstrates revolution, or guardianship and watching over the people?
Rob also did a lovely video interview today with Gary Moller, whose blog posts I've been sharing with you. If you want to check it out, it's here:
https://www.facebook.com/robert.oscroft/videos/630547551546658
I haven't read Gary's blog for today yet, but I'm told he mentions that some people got exposure and had to leave. It was a terrible night, so that's not surprising. But supplies have been flooding in all day. I hope that word has got out by now of all the resources that are available on site - hot food, the medical tents, a dry room for women and children to have a respite in, a generator and two commercial driers, masses of dry clothing. We are in this for the long haul. All of the people must and will be cared for.
https://www.garymoller.com/post/parliament-s-freedom-gathering-is-being-battered-please-help
I had a fascinating glimpse into the perception of someone from Auckland who has only seen the MSM reports of what's happening down here. I might share that with you tomorrow.
Peace, love and freedom to all my brothers and sisters, wherever you are in the world, and whatever your view of that world may be.
My previous posts:
Day 1 - @kiwideb/convoy-nz-2022-day-1
Days 2 & 3 - @kiwideb/convoy-nz-2022-days-2
Day 4 - @kiwideb/convoy-nz-2022-day-4
Day 5 - @kiwideb/convoy-nz-2022-day-5