Keeping on Keeping on (Tunnel Picket Friday)

Sleeping standing up

I knew just what that officer was feeling when I spotted her with her eyes shut this morning. After all there we all were again, just fallen out of our respective beds, at 5.30am. And although it has been a big week - with the rally on Tuesday and a range of E-W Link evening meetings, as well as the passing yesterday in the Lower House of the anti-picketing amendments - things felt pretty much as usual.

St Kilda Esplanade palm tree - not!

The drillers were there, surrounding the drill. The drill was there, apparently at work on the second hole on the site. The police were there, looking bored out of their brains. The barricade was there, solid, large and impenetrable. And we were there, socialising, sharing information and a laugh and buoying each other up. And, in my case at least, grabbing the opportunity to learn more about the nuances of political action from seasoned activists. All as usual.

I couldn't agree more!

Things feel very much in a 'holding pattern':
Thankfully, the police will not be able to use their extended powers until the amendments have been ratified by the Upper House and then gazetted, so at this moment they are treating us much the same.
Even though we know that drilling is scheduled for Royal Park in the near future, as it is not yet completed at the present site, we are continuing to picket there. Something many picketers, who had attended this week's evening meetings commented on, was the gratitude that people frequently express for our efforts. Often it's a matter of: 'I couldn't be on a picket myself, but it's great that you are.' Of course we would prefer to have these fans join us, but at least the feedback is further reassurance that our efforts are not in vain. Even on days when not a lot is happening.
Sometimes all you can do is keep on keeping on. And perhaps practise sleeping standing up.

Being there