The Introverted Activist

They were comfortable in the spotlight, energized by noise and crowds. Success required confrontation and the front page headline.

Annie knew that these were not her people.

Side by side, arm in arm, the approaching mob moved in a slow surge towards the square, shouting slogans at the television cameras which fed images of conflict to a hungry audience.  Angry faces contorted and clenched fists punched at the sky in time with the chant.

REAL CLIMATE ACTION NOW!  HANDS OFF MY PLANET!  DON’T DEFILE, NO DENIAL!

As the march got closer, Annie felt the pulse of a drum beat, wood on skin.  Adrenaline ramped up her sense of panic, fuelled by enraged cries from the marchers. A thousand banners on sheets and card, printed and painted, swayed and jostled for attention. Annie shrank away, barely able to breathe in the midst of the watching crowd. Behind her, two youths laughed and jeered, like spectators at the arena baying for blood in what they hoped would be the inevitable gladiatorial clash between the marchers and the waiting police. Nausea, sour bile, rose deep in her gut, and with every ounce of courage, Annie refocused on why she was here.

She had spent weeks preparing for the march, quiet nights unpicking old jerseys and rolling balls of recycled wool, knitting until she knew the pattern by heart. She’d hand-crafted labels and attached them with rainbows of ribbon.  Each object was unique, a thing of beauty. 

Annie reached inside her satchel and chose one tiny knitted fish, gold with black fins. It crackled slightly as she squeezed it. Strands of recycled plastic bag stuffing poured from its gaping helpless mouth. At the end of gold ribbon, the attached label read save a fish - have a plastic free Christmas.  Annie took a deep breath and, standing unnoticed beside a distracted shopper, dropped the fish inside her K Mart carrier bag. She exhaled – easier than she thought. Another fish, green and silver, love your planet - have a plastic free Christmas, tucked into an open handbag draped over a shoulder. 

Annie moved through the crowd, keeping pace with the marchers.  Blue, purple, scarlet – we only have one ocean, think of the fish, fish need you – until her bag was empty and she could slip away.

Rosemary McBryde