Changing the way to protesting one embroidered canary at a time Cardiff crafters protest against climate change their own way
by KellieWilliams When you think of a protest, your imagination visions a march through the streets of the capital, however, Martine Brown, a proud supporter of changing the way we treat the planet, and an advocate for government change against global warming, has been organising groups of peaceful protesters to craft their way to change. The 54-year-old from Heath, Cardiff is a member of the Birchgrove women’s institute, and is eager to approach Cardiff’s MPs in a more friendly way, to get the group’s voice heard. On Saturday the 10 of July, the ‘climate craftism’ group used their love and passion for arts and crafts, to design and lead a peaceful protest around their artsy talents. The ‘Canary Craftivists’, as they’re known, took to Bute Park to create and make several handmade yellow canaries made by stitching, sewing, knitting and embroidering yellow fabric into the canary-pattern design. Dedicated to their ‘gentle protest,’ the group, consisting of seven ladies, one male and a child were all dressed up in yellow canary outfits. Each craftivist, even its youngest member sported a yellow cape, to represent the wings of the small bird, gaining the attention from fellow park goers and tourists, who were keen to take pictures of the group dressed up in the bright yellow shades. The climate ambassador and organiser of the gathering, Martine, said, “We aim to get the community talking and spread the word on the importance of climate change. It was surprising because nobody asked us why we were all dressed up in yellow
because we looked quite unusual,” she laughed. “But yeah, for a busy day in the park, no one asked what we were doing.” Once crafted, the plan is to deliver the small handmade canary to every Cardiff MP via post with a hand-written letter explaining why the canary was gifted and sent to the individual MP. “We thought gifting the MPs with a present is a nicer and more receptive way of getting attention because everyone likes a beautiful gift. The canary is nice for them to have and keep in their office to remind them about the action towards climate change,” said Martine. Why canaries? The canary emblem has a very special and significant message behind its yellow wings. The canary bird was decided by the ladies to represent its small, angelic physical appearance, yet in the past, the canary played a crucial job role in helping warn miners underground in coal mines of any dangerous pollution, such as carbon monoxide.
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