"If I must die, you must live to tell my story," wrote Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer. That is precisely what we did at the encampment today, drenched in fake blood.
A group of elderly old growth advocates held a sombre performance in support of the People’s Park encampment at the University of Victoria, to denounce the genocide of the Palestinian in Gaza.
Palestine has notably rallied many prominent environmental advocates and activists, such as Howard Breen and Mike Graeme. Elders For Ancient Trees, known for its flash mobs across town in defence of old growth forests, has belatedly jumped on the bandwagon as well, unable to remain silent as the Israel Defence Forces close in on Gaza’s last refuge for over a million besieged civilians.
Since I enjoy a cozy relationship with the group, I was invited to participate myself. I also played a minor organising role as liaison with the encampment, given the uncertainty surrounding it.
We were sixteen performers in total. Our procession walked slowly from the bus loop in file until we reach the encampment. Over there a dozen of us volunteered to each read a short bio of a Palestinian murdered in Gaza since October, while being doused in fake blood; I stood witness for Yousef Dawas, a musician, writer, and journalist, killed in his family home.
Our leader, Jackie Larkin, took inspiration from a poem by Refaat Alareer, starting with: “If I must die, you must live to tell my story.” Likewise, Palestinian advocates have struggled to put names and faces on mounting statistics, such as that of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl murdered along with her family, to the world’s consternation.
Our performance was well received by the students at the encampment, one describing it as moving. These students could indeed use more support. When I asked them what they need most, I was told they need numbers to keep the fort; they need you to show up and join them at the encampment, more than anything else you may bring along with you. I myself plan to spend a night with them soon, if I get to catch a break.
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