Masked Avengers©Linda Dawn Hammond 2001

Raging Grannies Save Young Protesters from Police
Moments of Faith at The Wall, Quebec City April 21

Report: Peggy Land
Tuesday, May 01, 2001

Raging Granny, Peggy Land of Ottawa
©Linda Dawn Hammond 2001

Ottawa Quakers are not unused to holding silent peace vigils on Parliament Hill, so that is what five who were at the anti-FTAA protest did in Quebec City. At 8:30 am we were joined by at least forty others who were inspired to attend an outdoor Quaker Meeting for Worship right beside the already notorious chain-link fence/ Wall of Shame. As this was a new experience for most, the basic concepts were explained by two of the Quakers.

The message that "While silence is the norm, any who feel led by the Spirit may speak from their hearts in a worshipful way", was quickly understood and observed throughout the half hour that followed. The birds singing and the gentle beating of a drum by a young protester formed a wonderful backdrop in contrast to the three meter high fence and the massive old stone wall and the armed police we knew were also there. Several spoke and shared their hopes and faith that the outcome of our collective presence that weekend would be positive. There was no mistaking the deep sense of peace amongst us. Said one observer afterwards "Everyone, whether inside or outside the circle, caught the sense of the moment, even the police behind the fence. As the Meeting for Worship continued, I watched as the tension drained from everyone, including the police behind the fence." Oddly, the sound of camera shutters could be heard, but this was not disturbing. When the half- hour was up we shook hands as is customary, and then broke into joyous rounds of "We shall overcome" and finally "Amen!" Our group had somehow grown to include about sixty smiling faces by the end. It was a right and fitting way to begin what would be a long and exuberant but sometimes troubling day. The next day, our impromptu Meeting for Worship was reported on the front page of the New York Times! (Quakers do not evangelize, preferring to "let their lives speak", and continue to worship very simply, so such publicity is rare.)

Later that day, our group of Raging Grannies from Ottawa joined the huge parade of up to sixty thousand protesters, (as estimated by CBC television), and proceeded up the designated route well outside the fence-off perimeter. We sang our songs composed just for this event with great gusto and were often cheered and hugged along the way. In our outlandishly colorful hats and shawls, we were happy to put a face to those of "mature" age who felt just as outraged as the younger protesters at what was being cooked up by the various heads of state inside the fenced-off area. But maturity brings its self-appointed responsibilities, of course! So when clouds of tear gas were seen rising from the fenced off areas above us, some decided to go and show solidarity with the younger folks. They made a more than symbolic left turn and headed up the steps towards the freshly tear-gassed area, They were warned by fleeing protesters to turn back but continued on. Soon they came across a group of heavily armed police in full combat gear. The police were unaccountably preventing the peaceful progress of a small group of protestors trying to make their way down a street. "The police looked more like armadillos" according to the small band's fearless leader, aged 78. (Actually, they did later admit to having been at least "a little scared".) One "armadillo" stepped forward, fingering his rubber-bullet gun. Undeterred, the Granny group linked arms and put themselves between the small group of protesters and the police. First they sang their " Hysteria" song to the tune of "Rule Britannia", then took small steps towards the police. Then it was " We shall overcome", and a few more steps forward, voices cracking a little, according to the youngest, an apprentice Granny. Finally, Alma, the tiny 78 year old Granny leader explained to the police that they could indeed be their mothers or their grandmothers, and same for the protesters, but that they were simply there for peaceful purposes and posed no danger. Amazingly, the police then retreated a few steps. The Granny group blew them a few kisses, and turned and made their way back down the hill, greeted with thanks and gratitude by the protesters. They were already at the pre-appointed meeting place/ bar, before the rest of us who had continued with the march, finally showed up. Their absolute faith that their determined but non-violent presence could be of help in such a potentially violent situation was well placedÉ. Such Granny actions definitely have their place in the world!

By Peggy Land, from personal observation and interviews with fellow protesters, Quakers and Raging Grannies.

Counter Set May 7, 2001