Amnesty International Street Theatre: A Call for the Support of Human Rights

Burma

A group of about 140 students, both my co-years and my second years, planned, rehearsed, and dedicated a Saturday to perform a street theatre in the largest street in Cardiff, Queens Street, to protest against the violation of human rights in Burma, and to support the universal human rights guaranteed to us all. The Amnesty Leaders [Nabila from Germany/Egypt, Izzaat who is a Palestenian Refugee, and Knut from Canada/Norway] sectioned us into Petitioners, Monks, and Soldiers. The petitioners job was to be able to inform people of what our street theatre was for, and to get them to understand the situation and sign the petition that would be sent to the foreign minister of Burma. The monks job was to illustrate the violation of human rights [I was a monk], and were represented by a copious amount of red and posters involving Amnesty International and the situation represented visually. The soldiers, obviously, were to demonstrate the oppression of the Government and the extent to which they were violating our inalienable rights. So, at 10am, with Soldiers dressed up in camoflauge, boots, and dark glasses, petitioners spread throughout Queens Street, the monks began to peacefully protest down the street with chants, until we made it to the point of the Soldiers. At the point of the soldiers, the street theatre began. The pictures below give a pretty accurate message in terms of what we were trying to accomplish. We performed our street theatre for about 5 hours straight, and were exhausted by the end; after lying on the dirty cold and wet tiles of queen street, chanting and being “tortured”, we were beat. In both of the street theatres last year [one being against Guantanamo Bay, and the other against the Israel/Palestenian Wall], they overall acquired around 3,600 signatures in the year. We actually broke the record through collecting 4,000 signatures in one day, which is a huge accomplishment to say the least.

Nikhil from Mauritius and a person in Cardiff signing down on our Petition.

A scan of the Article on our Street theatre.

The Link to the full Article:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/11/22/lessons-from-my-own-youthful-academic-demise-91466-20142481/

At the Street Theatre there were photographers, Police to protect us, people taking pictures and videoing us, documentation through the police, and a clip about our theatre was put on BBC, as well as the link below to the article written about our protest, our school, and our new headmaster. It was a huge success, and I’m extremely proud of everyone who participated.

Also, the next day, a Greenpeace representative and expert in training people to peacefully protest through non-violent means came to train a group of 20 people. From 11am-3pm we learned everything you could possible need to know about protesting, and how to make sure you are peaceful and not obstructing and laws to ensure safety. We went through obstacle courses blind folded, practiced protesting techniques, and grew as a group in terms of being able to perform team work effectively. It was a great experience, and I’m excited to have some creative ways of protesting around the UK using 100% non-violent techniques that the community can be involved in.

Keep in touch everyone! Comment to let me know how you are!!

Kirb