lotusinthemud: MakePovertyHistory: Vigil at St.Thomas's

Update - here's a photo
On Wednesday I joined a vigil in the city, where we were inviting passers-by to sign cards, which will be sent to the government (whoever they will be), urging better trade arrangements in poorer countries. The vigil is being held 8 am to 8 pm every day this week. Different churches are taking different time slots.

There were three or four of us at St Thomas's for most of the time I was there (2 - 8 pm), swelling to six in the last couple of hours. I was the sole Buddhist among the Christians who came and went. We all know each other now from previous meetings and campaigns. There's such a feeling of warmth and camaraderie at these events.

The weather was much kinder to us than it was for those taking part yesterday and today, when there is unremitting rain. We had sunshine, although it was cold. Our hands became quite stiff, holding the cards and pens at the ready. Now and again one of our number went into St Thomas's kitchen to supply us with tea. A cup of tea - such a simple thing, but greeted with such delight! Warmth inside and for those cold hand. We also had the 'secret number' access code to the church loos - rather a necessity after the tea.

About a third, maybe more, of the passers-by signed and posted cards into our box. A number rushed by, averting their gaze or setting their faces. We realised that 'vote' is a word that turns some people right off at the moment - after all, the preamble for the General Election has been going for some time now. And quite a number were able to say, 'No', to the question, 'Would you like to sign for better trade terms for poorer countries?' or similar wording. Did they actually hear what we were asking, or did they just say, 'No', automatically? Yet, many came up enthusiastically, even detouring so they could sign up. And we had a number of interesting and engaged discussions.

I had intended sitting, as I have for many vigils, so had taken along my folding camping stool. A concession to my stiffening joints. However aking people to sign cards meant being on my feet for the six hours. It'll take a while to recover. But I'm so glad to have been there. Let's hope that all the campaigning around the country will make a difference for people who live in such difficult conditions with so much weighted against them, while the wealthy protect and subsidise their own.