Wellington Craftivism Collective

Transgender woman fast tracked to be moved from male prison

In a positive follow up to our previous post, great news from corrections thanks to the advocacy work of the No Pride in Prisons group, transgender woman Jade Follett has seen her move from Rimutaka prison fast tracked. Read the full article from Stuff.co.nz below.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/71510201/corrections-fasttracks-approval-to-shift-trans-woman-prisoner-from-rimutaka

Members of the No Pride in Prisons Group

Jade Follett to move to woman's prison

It has been suggested that we do a craftivist response to the brutal treatment of Emmy a protester at the Auckland Pride Parade, they were protesting, the fact police were forming part of the parade, despite the still problematic treatment of Police and Corrections Department in the treatment of transgender community,

http://www.therealstevegray.com/…/corporate-pride-parade-a…/

Emmy was targeted for special treatment by a security guard who broke Emmys arm and was aggregated by police not giving her immediate medical assistance and cuffing Emmy, despite Emmy screaming out in pain. Emmy later had to have surgery on their arm and this has caused Emmy significant financial hardship as she is no longer able to work. There is a online place to donate for Emmy, to cover legal and medical costs, http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/fundsforemmy

Here our patches for Emmy's sling, a friend of Emmy's told us Emmy own personal style, which includes, aliens, cthulu, xenomorphs and pentagrams. So we have been busy making patches with these themes to show Emmy our love and solidarity.

Hikurangi / Peace Quilt Korowai project

Members of Wellington Craftivist Collective have been helping one of our dear friends Ron Tekawa with his Hikurangi / Peace Quilt Korowai project. Kat Upanetem and Emanarchy have both make panels for the quilt. Kat's is in support of current struggles for peace in Palestine and West Papua, and Emily has made a section for the sea creatures section the Sea horse who traditionally in Maori culture brings protection.

Ron is making a story of peace, which will form a rainbow shape.

Crafty Poetry - Bears Rebellion

Check out some rad poetry by Bears Rebellion, warning this woman is empowered!

at http://bearsrebellion.wordpress.com/

Here is a sample,

She Said

Posted on October 13, 2014by bearsrebellion

She said “Have you got your life sorted?” and I replied “A little bit more than I did before” and I skipped off down the road.

Bears Rebellion 13/10/14

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bears, before, life, more, rebellion, sorted | Leave a comment

Around The World

Posted on October 12, 2014by bearsrebellion

As I lay my head down to sleep, I’m aware at this same moment people the world over are sleeping eating drinking feasting kissing hugging loving laughing driving riding smiling sewing baking choking killing stealing lying feeling running swimming boxing chilling smoking poking cleaning demeaning treating hoping seeping and dying for a better world.

Bears Rebellion 12/10/14

Flighting Sexism: Adventures with the Craftivism Fence and Paper Planes

At the Flighting Sexism Exhibition we wanted the true spirit of Craftivism to be represented, that is to get everyone to participate: young, old, mums, daughters, sons, partners and even fashion designers, took part. So we put up a craftivist fence, so everyone could show their protest at Air NZ's sexist safety video, that this type of sexist advertising leads to the sexist and rape culture in our society that is so damaging to all those who identify as female.

So this is how the fence began at the exhibition with mini protest banners and a three planes...but this was to change.

Children at the Plane Making Zone

Girls are Cool

Choirboys daughter wanted her planes to be by daddy's art work of Russian punk band Pussy Riot and suffragette Kate Sheppard's paintings.

Fashion designer the Under Class Merchant (UCM) got in on the action saying, "No to Sexism"

After the opening the fence was so full of protest planes.

Flighting Sexism Opening

Awesome opening to Flighting Sexism Exhibition. A truly transformative experience, we broke the silences on sexism and the link this has to rape culture. Thanks to all the artists, to Choirboy for his amazing musical performance, Marewa Glover for her powerful and thought provoking poetry. The children who made planes for the craftivist fence, with feminist messages, totally cuted me out. Thanks for all those who came, this was beautiful community experience. Thanks also to Tory Street for providing this wonderful space.