Review on peaceful protests in London, Israel, Palestine, Switzerland and Denmark
A load more of love on the menu? Yes please!
Sometimes it doesn't take much to boost up my hopes for world peace (and ironically shatter them as well, but let's not go down that negative path). Whether it's a group of devoted activists marching together pacifically or a musician's willingness to use his talent as a tool for tolerance, it's clear: people from all parts of the globe express an urging need to spread more love and positive, open-minded values -DAMN, that feels good.
Only looking at the previous week, a bunch of peaceful protests were organized for Women's day and Trump's stinky -see how I'm containing myself-inauguration. When the world woke up to a new American PreSHITent, hundreds of commuters and early risers assembled in 10 different bridges of London to manifest a simple yet touching desire : BRIDGES, NOT WALLS. Couple of minutes before this shot was taken, I joined a crowd of motivated folks- at 8AM, you've got to have some mad frustration to get out revolting on the streets, am I right? Activists were waiting for the drop of the banners while some kind hearts offered me a warm coffee- the morning could hardly get any better.
“It’s important for everyone to support every nation, every person, every heart. I think that’s basically what this protest and what other protests around London are trying to do, is just to support people. Supporting humanity really.”- Activist interviewed at the "bridges not walls" protest
While some use bridges as symbols to manifest their disapproval, others cross borders to underline the necessity of breaking boundaries between cultures. This is what happened last October, when the activist group "Women Wage Peace" -formed of thousands of Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Atheistic women- decided to march in unity across Israel and Palestine. All dressed in white, they walked to demand the reign of peace, not war, love, not bombs. The movement aims to put pressure on those in power and urge them to establish a dialogue among nations that have been in conflict for decades, causing thousands of deaths and irreparable harm. Resembling a massively glorious white flag, these peace purveyors only wish for one thing : truce, once and for all.
If there's one key rule all activists out there know about, it's probably this one : even the smallest actions can lead to bigger ones. That's exactly the method Maxime Curchod adopted when doing a solo piano performance in the center of Lausanne, a funky university city in Switzerland. The 22 year old is a part-time cashier, full time artist, singer, musician, and apparently peace purveyor. Deeply saddened by all the hate that's been spreading around our lovely planet, Maxime decided it was time to do his part of the show. The motivated lad chucked his piano on a train, payed 1000 CHF* to make it reach it's destination, then performed during hours in the freezing December cold. ALL THIS for the soul purpose of acting in the name of peace - no joke. "Don't give me money. Sign for peace" was the mission passer-by were given to by the musician, all while having to imitate Nelson Mandela's signature.
"I simply solicit a commitment for peace, it is my reaction regarding the horrors of this world. And I think that the planet would get better if money did not have so much importance" - Maxime Curchod
This last story literally brought tears to my eyes as I read it on my way to work. In a moment of hopelessness, it made me realize that 1. I wasn't the only one feeling deeply affected by all this excessive amount of crappy haters living on the same planet and 2. If an act so simple could move me so much, then that means ANYONE can have a positive impact on a stranger by doing SOMETHING totally badass.
So this is my message to you. What will you do to keep the circle of love flowing in the air? Think about an idea, either small scaled or massive, alone or with a gang, at home or abroad, that could in some way bring hope to strangers as well as your own surrounding. Send a message of love, peace, tolerance, whatever the heck shines the light on someone's day, and become a peace purveyor yourself (how exciting does THAT sound?).
Talking about acts of kindness that occur worldwide and sharing the news also helps to spread more positive vibes, something -I'm sure we all agree- desperately need more of. So GET INVOLVED my fellow messenger: let's use our hearts as the antidote against this venomous planetary hatred. Enough with the too-hard-to-handle atrocities, let's encourage and participate in world peace. Who's in?
BONUS MESSAGE OF LOVE :
Arian Kashef's "Blind Muslim trust experiment", video made in Denmark. "I'm Muslim and people call me a terrorist. If you trust me, give me a hug".
*Approximately 930 Euros, 800 Pounds or 1000 US Dollars