Occupy Melbourne's "Dare to Share" Teddy Bears Protest - 9 December 2011

"The Occupy Movement has emerged globally to oppose greed and inequality. The Victorian State Government's cuts to education demonstrate that it prioritises big business greed over community need. Today kids and carers from Occupy Melbourne and the wider community are joining together for songs, games and a protest to demand investment in education not wealth for corporations..." [From OM Kids and Carers]

The group met in the Treasury Gardens for discussion, games, and sharing a snack before setting off with a range of teddy bears for a tour of government offices, first the Premier's office, then the Department of Education, both in Treasury Place, followed by a visit to the Department of Education's Office for Early Childhood Development across the road in Spring Street. At each stop the mic check was used to state the group's position, the Teddy Bears Protest Song was sung, and the Victorian Government Education Report Card for 2011 was delivered, if not accepted by the intended recipients... This video follows the group on its tour.
More from OM K&C:

"It's about sharing! Kids get it, why doesn't everyone?!

Across the planet 800 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and, every hour, 1,200 children die from preventable diseases.

In Australia the number living in poverty is 2.2 million, while homelessness is at 100,000.
...
Currently, in Victoria funding is being cut to 9000 'take a break' occasional care places, impacting on shift workers, single parents and families in crisis.

Meanwhile the 1% continues to grow richer...

Join us the 99% for a day of fun and kids activities at Occupy Melbourne's 'Dare to Share Teddy Bear Picnic'! Bring a blanket and some snacks and let's show the 1% how this 'strange concept' called sharing is done."

Note - for those who may not know, the Premier of Victoria's first name is Ted (Baillieu).

Links
http://occupymelbourne.org/
http://www.facebook.com/occupymelb
http://omdigest.org/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/omkidsandparents/

There is a report of this action also on Melbourne Indymedia, including the full text of the Report Card and the Teddy Bears Protest song:
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/10/occupy-melbournes-dare-to-share-teddy-bear...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• OM
• Occupy Melbourne
• Ted Baillieu
• Teddy Bears
• Melbourne
• chllptr

[MantisGr33n]

I shared this with the OM facebook and they have taken it down......

[Menontonini]

Great action! well done everyone!

[MantisGr33n]

@36Vernon what a very open minded and inspiring comment vernon i think your late for your local white power meeting, now be gone!. Honestly i would like to see what wouldve happened had the children not been there. I am very proud as a local to see OM not jumping around in tents. Probably one of the clearest and most concise agendas ive heard coming from OM. No screaming "Shame" or wearing of tents is definately the way to go, would love to see more vids protesting in such a manner minus kids

[36Vernon]

What a bunch of fuckin morons. Do you communist seriously think your cult like mic check and putting your children at risk with your illegal activity is gonna change anything? Apart from taunting the police and getting your ass kicked that is. Are you prepared to do your bullshit for decades? Because nobody is gonna be intimidated by your stupid chants and disruptioins. Your movement and your demands are a joke. You are no different than niggers on welfare. Occupy a job!!!!