Dead Letter A

After years of enthusiastically getting amongst it and helping others in Geelong, I am now, more than ever, a greatly concerned citizen.

Despite my best efforts to create a space away from those who wish to do us harm, I now sit alone by the north-facing window of my home, watching the world go by, wondering about the people and their lives. Sonder, I believe.

At my previous posting, although an improvement over prior places, they were unable to provide a safe environment for the event management committee or its participants.

Participants and event management were harassed on several occasions by members of the public, notably those concerned about the demonic activity (zine swap/sells) being conducted in the library. Even if the security guard was on shift, how were they going to stop those seemingly innocent looking people before they caused any harm!?

This turned a fun monthly social interaction with peers into an unsafe space, and so I have left my post to request your assistance.

We should not have to spend our time and energy explaining the reasons we are allowed to exist in public, or why we deserve basic human rights, yet here we are.

And to be clear, I’m not asking permission but rather requesting your support to do so.

I fear I do not have it in me to continue working within a community that refuses to listen and consequently fails to protect vulnerable members of society.

So, I shall remain in my realm, unless otherwise accompanied, until such time as a space opens up in the world with me in mind.

Don’t let them take their future away the way they have ours!

Sincerely,

Nick Lawson

Resident Assistant