about the RIGHT TO PROTEST with GREEN & BLACK CROSS
16th June marked Ranting & Raving’s first RANT which took place during this year’s Refugee Week, inspired by its theme, “Community as a Superpower”! Based on our discussions & activities, we chose “Collaboration” as Ranting & Raving’s superpower!
The RAVE workshop comes next for the participants (who are based in London)!
What does the “RIGHT TO PROTEST” mean to you? The first RANT workshop explored examples of both protest and community and how these two ideas go together. That is why the first project R&R is featuring is Green & Black Cross: an independent grassroots project where volunteers support protest related legal matters through mutual aid and solidarity.
As the world increases its militarisation tactics at borders & on our streets, whether we are protesting local disputes or genocide, knowing our rights whilst doing so is vital! GBC is specific to England & Wales, however their ethos of mutual aid and solidarity is universal.
Participants joined us from all over the world from the UK to Mexico, the West Bank and Afghanistan. Our rights vary drastically in such places and keeping each other and our communities safe remains paramount. Methods to do so also vary, from marching (if you feel safe to do so) to boycotting, knowledge sharing and listening to one another’s lived experiences.
Green & black cross
If you are interested in learning more about your rights, GBC host “Know Your Rights” online trainings:
• Click Here to join the next “Know Your Rights” online training!
• Click Here to learn more about the 5 Key Messages:
• Click Here for GBC Bustcards (have one with you if you go to a protest!)
• Click Here for GBC Bustcard Arabic (have one with you if you go to a protest!)
*Please note these have the lawyers from the London bustcard, unless stated. Click here to get in contact if you need it editing for other regions.
simple acts
“Simple Acts” are Refugee Week‘s suggestions of everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities. However, they are not exclusive to Refugee Week, they are relevant at any time!
“Simple Acts” is a collaboration between Refugee Week & Moomin 80, celebrating 80 years of Moomin stories. Created by Finnish author Tove Jansson during WWII as a fairytale to comfort herself during dark times, the first tale, The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945), mirrors the realities of millions of displaced people seeking refuge.
read & listen
Parwana Amiri‘s latest collection of poetry: We Will Fly Higher. Parwana is an Afghan activist & author who participated in the first RANT.