Have you noticed a slight shift in the last couple of weeks?
Across the world, we’ve been stunned by the pace of change in our lives while fascism metastasises, human and legal rights are extinguished, and the geopolitical landscape has reformed into an environment not seen since the 1930s.
Shock and awe.
Exactly as planned.
But we’re also witnessing a new wave of resistance and activism as people and countries galvanise against authoritarianism and the neoliberal agenda.
It brings me a small sense of relief and a bigger sense of hope.
Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, has demonstrated intelligent, calm, strategic resistance to Canada’s noisy neighbour and his ‘on-again-off-again’ tariff mayhem, decoupling the country from its reliance on the U.S. His deep economic expertise and experience in financial crisis management will serve the country well should Canadians vote him in at their election on April 28th (and I hope they do). He is the former governor of Canada’s Reserve Bank and of the Reserve Bank of England. In the latter role, he navigated through Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, not always easily but they were tricky times that make him an obvious choice, in my view. This kind of experience is more than many world leaders have accumulated. Firm, stable and intelligent leadership is what we need from world leaders to counter the chaos. Could Canada be the next leader of the free world?
That might be nice, eh?
Canadian supermarket shelves are empty where U.S. products once were, as shoppers opt for local products. Leisure travel to the U.S. is down to its lowest levels since the pandemic as Canadians cancel cross-border vacations, preferring a staycation in their own vast and beautiful country.
Galvanising.
Resistance in the U.S. legal profession is growing as more associates resign following Rachel Cohen’s lead over the capitulation of Big Law firms to 47’s executive order that attempts to extinguish the rule of law - the very thing lawyers swear an oath to uphold.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, over recent months, the talk has been about a bill introduced into Parliament by our populist minority coalition party leader, David Seymour, called the Treaty Principles Bill.
I’ve written about it here and here.
The Justice Select Committee received the largest number of submissions ever in a public consultation process - over 300,000, of which over 90% opposed the Bill. When the Bill went to Parliament for a second hearing, it was voted down by every party, even the conservative parties National and NZ First. 112 against, and from the party that had introduced it, 11 votes for.
While this fight is not over - it will keep coming back via populist parties - it was a significant victory for Māori rights and for the future many New Zealanders want to create.
It was a victory, too, for activism. The Toitū te Tiriti movement drew support from all walks of life who were incensed enough to activate, some like me, first-time activists.
This galvanisation in pockets across the world gives me hope. It might be bleak and frightening out there right now. There are some truly horrific things unfolding, but I’m also looking for the glimmers of resistance and activism, feeling energised and inspired by their strength and courage.
I’m taking Expressions of Interest on these beauties so you can display your activation (with more merch ideas coming). They’re AS Colour tees - a NZ-based, ethically sourced cotton tee. I expect they’ll be about NZD60 + GST, P&P. If they look like they might be a bit of you, let me know and I’ll add you to the list. I’ll be firming up with the printer shortly.
Aroha nui e taniwha mā
Intelligent and beautifully written. Agree wholeheartedly!