Protest March.

It was time for my first demonstration, in Palmerston North yesterday afternoon. There was a protest against the Weapons Expo, (NZ Defence Association Industry Forum) to be held soon at at the Trust Arena. I felt at home with the marchers in The Square, and the placards, 'Whose streets? Our streets! ' 'We are not disturbing the peace.' I sensed no hostility in pedestrians or the yellow-vested sunglasses police, as we set off for Cuba Street and paused to hear a brief speech: ' Palmerston North is a Peace City.' We don't want Weapons Expo here, ' said a suave city councillor. 'Thank you all for being here from near and far'. The march turned right into Pascal Street and down to the Arena gates and more rhetoric. I saw on one young man's polo shirt 'JFK'- the president of peace except in Saigon maybe. John Lennon's 'Give Peace A Chance' played loud then 'Imagine', a call for freedom and peace. I liked the lyrics, accompanied by piano chords. And yes, there were free lunches for everyone. 'These are my kind of people', I thought, ambling back in the provincial sunshine to The Square. - 30/31 October,2018.