Wednesday
Feb272008
Walk this way
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 I shall be popping along to the House of Commons at lunchtime to observe the lobby of Parliament being organised by the I Want A Referendum campaign. We're looking at the possibility of a similar event on July 1, the first anniversary of the smoking ban in England. If we go ahead we will need the active support of everyone who is opposed to the current legislation. It is no longer enough to be a laptop activist. It's time to speak with your feet.
Reader Comments (10)
This sounds good Simon and I will do my best to attend, despite hating London and being very anxious/panicky around crowds.
Will there be any kind of transport organised, as the 'I Want a Referendum' group are doing? This would seem to make sense and help people bond before the event. Obviously, although I can't speak for everyone, I would expect to pay for transport.
Keep us all posted.
Simon you can count on me being there and may I also concur with the comment about laptop activists, the phrase I have heard is "keyboard commando". From my experience many smokers are good at whinging and writing emails but turning up for an event is a struggle. I turn up for all of F2C's meetings, went to the Bristol march, and drove from London to Hereford on a work week night to support Tony Blows in court. Quite frankly numbers could of been more at both events. I am not looking for a medal but trying to set an example to everyone else.
The establishment love laptop activist's and fear any real street reaction.
Although the internet is an important tool, that is all it is, a tool.
Many people do not use the internet at all, or very much and they need to know the truth, the real economic and social fall out of the smoking ban experiment and what this Government plan next for Jo Public.
I will be there. How can HMG pssibly know the strength of feeling unless we take to the streets?
I think it's highly possible that the rooftop demonstration at Parliament today was a deliberate ploy to get TV cameras pointing skywards away from the 'I want a referendum' demonstration.If it wasn't, it was very convenient for the Government.
If there were any danger of large numbers of protesters gathering outside Parliament on July 1st you can be certain another 'distraction' will conveniently be drawing the press away from it. Maybe the only way to guarantee mainstream media coverage would be for everyone to be parachuted into the area stark naked.
It's hard for me to take a day off work midweek, but I'll do my best.
Smoke-in on the roof?
I so agree that we need to get off our keyboards and out on the streets. But I would also like to see an injection of humour into the debate.
Would it be possible to start a really witty poster campaign so that by July we could launch a series of posters in high profile sites highlighting the absurdities and iniquities of the Ban? Also a really good visual illustration ofthe idiocy of the schonky statistics we are continually bullied by hits home so much better than an article however well written. Yes I know we'd have to contribute money - I would. Are there any Ad agencies out there who would look on this as a worthwhile cause ?? Does anyone else think this would be a good approach ?
I so agree that we need to get off our keyboards and out on the streets. But I would also like to see an injection of humour into the debate.
Would it be possible to start a really witty poster campaign so that by July we could launch a series of posters in high profile sites highlighting the absurdities and iniquities of the Ban? Also a really good visual illustration ofthe idiocy of the schonky statistics we are continually bullied by hits home so much better than an article however well written. Yes I know we'd have to contribute money - I would. Are there any Ad agencies out there who would look on this as a worthwhile cause ?? Does anyone else think this would be a good approach ?
Bea K,
Have you seen the posters "Stonewall" are putting up all over the place - although I fail to see why as they have nothing to gripe about. They go something like this:
"Some people are gay - get used to it".
We could have:
"Millions of people smoke - get used to it and get a life! Every Adult has a right to a social life and that includes smokers!"
I would definately join any protest outside Parliament on July 1st. I'd be happy to arrange a coach for likeminded people in my area. If this action is definately taking place let me know and I'll get it organised.