Last Friday, on the day when New Zealand embarked on a segregated society, Voices for Freedom held a Silent Vigil at the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch. It was a very special and emotional event.
There is nothing more beautiful than individuals standing up for freedom in such a peaceful way. It speaks volumes without saying a word.
Please share this video widely. It was a very powerful statement with hundreds of Christchurch citizens saying NO to living in a divided, segregated society. We were silent but they couldn’t ignore us.
Therefore, this Friday, we ask all of you to make the effort to join us at the Bridge of Remembrance for a 30-minute vigil. Please bring a friend, neighbour, relative, colleague. By simply bringing an extra person the momentum will and does grow, which will and does bring us closer to the free, just, and respectful society that we all seek…that we all deserve…and to which we all have a right.
We need as many people to come as possible to this Friday’s vigil.
Our community remains divided in two. We gather in silence at the Bridge of Remembrance to continue this generation’s movement to reclaim freedom for all New Zealanders.
We join together to make it known that we do not consent to living in a divided, segregated society. And we do so at a place where we honour those who fought for those freedoms that have been stripped from us.
Protocol
- At 12 noon a Tibetan prayer bell will mark the start of the vigil
- At 12.30pm the bell will mark the conclusion of the silent period
- The vigil will conclude with the singing of our National Anthem
- Lay your flower(s) at the Anthem’s conclusion
- There are no speeches or other planned activities
- No signs on the bridge or at the vigil please. If you do bring a sign ensure it is respectful and in keeping with the sacred place where this vigil is being held