What I do on my time off (as well as exploring travel diaries - and there is more of that coming shortly, I promise!). Here I write of my recent experience in London for the Insure our Future global week of action, my adventures out on the streets...
As the drumming started, I felt myself welling up - there was nowhere else I wanted to be. Amongst others who got it. Amongst others who were trying to do something about it. I realised then how right I had been when I made the decision to book the week off work, clear my diary and head down to London for the whole of the Insure our Future Global Week of Action. Four days in London followed by a day in Birmingham to round things off.
Getting back out on the streets felt so right. The daily battle to try and make a difference, however small, can often feel like a lonely pursuit, like a lone voice in a wilderness of complacency.
The opportunity for physical, visceral action was a gift and I wanted to partake fully.
Our purpose was clear, our target carefully designed and thought through by many minds pooling their resources. Insure our Future. Our vital message directed at insurers who continue to fund the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. You have a real chance to make a difference. Hear us, please.
On the Monday, I'd met with a friend who'd come in for the Quaker organised Faith Group action first thing, joining them in time to catch the Mothers Rise Up performance afterwards. It was bitter cold and the performers shivered whilst they waited to start, those playing the part of the oil rigs having abandoned their stilts due to the strong gusts of wind whipping through the glass and steel buildings in the heart of the City. The performance was impressive and moving, a small child sitting within an inflatable globe at its centre. Half the dancers wore suits, representing the businesses which have the power in their hands to make or break our future, while others represented the mothers desperate to try and call their attention and put a stop to the madness.
We too had been encouraged to dress in business suits for at least part of the week, mainly for symbolic and visual effect, but also allowing us to blend in with the crowd. I ended up getting quite attached to my two-piece pinstripe in fact – it was pretty comfortable with many useful pockets. Our colour theme was simple: black, white and pink. And I have to say, the pink flags and banners looked absolutely stunning against the stone, steel and glass of the city. Being photogenic is a very good tactic, and you had to get used to many camera lenses being focused our way, which was the whole point really.
Tuesday morning, as we set off on the first big march of the week, the familiar rhythms resonated amongst the imposing buildings that surrounded us, filling the air, filling my soul. Hear us. Here us.
Our march took us on a tour of several insurance companies identified as being key players in enabling new fossil fuel projects to go ahead. As we arrived at each one, there was a pause in our drumming as the silence was filled by a speaker addressing the staff inside, many of them standing up against the towering windows to see what the commotion was about. We asked them to be heroes rather than villains, to refuse categorically to insure any new gas or oil projects. They are, after all, in the business of risk assessment and management, they should know what we are up against and what the stakes are. What they might not have realised is the unique opportunity they have to take action to reduce those risks, not only to their business but to all our futures.
The message was being given to them loud and clear, inside as well as outside their buildings. A handful of brave banner-holding rebels had peacefully but determinedly taken up occupation of the lobbies first thing that morning and remained there until we arrived, several hours later. They left the buildings to the loud and heartfelt appreciation of the crowd and joined our merry throng whilst we continued to carry our message onward. All in all, a very successful and satisfying day.
For the Wednesday, we were advised to be prepared for holding a space for as long as possible, so I squeezed as many warm layers as I could underneath my suit and borrowed a woolly hat thoughtfully offered by my host, appropriately grey to blend in with the look as well as reassuringly warm and cosy. I decided to leave my big drum behind and just take my small, hand-held 'tam'. Small, but just as effective in creating those powerful and intoxicating rhythms.
We gathered and marched once more, but this time we had just one destination, the iconic Lloyds of London building. As we arrived, we broke into single file and surrounded the building, holding hands to create a powerful but peaceful presence. Those with instruments stood shoulder to shoulder so we could be part of the chain whilst continuing to play. The idea was to let staff out of the building but try to persuade them not to go back in. We held our position right through the working day with many happy hours of drumming to help keep spirits high. Since returning back home, I have enjoyed watching the livestream recording to find out what had been going on the other side of the building and the conversations that were taking place.
Thursday, our final day of action in the City, was grey and wet but there was still a good turn out for our solidarity march for Palestine and Climate Justice. Our target this time was AXA where a mock military checkpoint had been installed and speeches were given calling out its complicity in war crimes as well as being one of the biggest insurers of the climate crisis.
Determined to stay for all the speeches despite the rain turning heavy, I found that my drum made a convenient rain hat to keep the worst of it off! The invitation to come and get some warming and hearty vegan food from the Food for All cargo bike which had just arrived was, as ever, very much appreciated.
Having dried off with an extended visit to a local coffee shop, we rounded off the day with a small-scale tour of the pubs frequented by insurance workers, playing outside each one whilst specially-printed beer mats were distributed explaining why we were there. We may have been the butt of their banter but we could hope that at least some of the punters would be intrigued enough to look us up once they were back home and hear the very serious message we were trying to convey.
We will no doubt have started many much-needed conversations that would not otherwise have taken place. Within staff canteens as well as board rooms, on buses and in coffee shops. We need to spread the word, do what our governments are so adamantly failing to do – tell the truth and spell out what can and must be done if we are to have any hope of getting through this. We need to spread the word too about how critical it is, more than ever, to come together and get out on the streets. And also spread the word how totally uplifting and inspiring it can be to do this.
As I made my way back home on the Friday, I rounded off my week by stopping off in Birmingham for the local action there. Mirroring the tour of insurance companies we’d done in London, we made our presence seen and most definitely heard, as others were doing the same in various cities around the country, spreading the message far and wide. It felt wonderful to see more familiar faces from my home turf alongside others who had also been in London. Drawing us all together. A perfect way to round off the week. The day was completed with food and a very welcome pint in the local pub where we could forge new bonds and strengthen our solidarity before heading home for some much needed rest and recuperation.
If you missed out this time, take heart that it won’t be long until our next ‘mini-rebellion’. I hope you can find a way to come along. Come with your rage and come with your love. Come for an hour or two, a day, a week. Support from home. Talk about it. Everyone and everything is needed. Come hold a banner, come wave a flag, come beat a drum, come sing, come shout, come be a silent witness. Just come, you won't regret it.
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