DFAT told me to "Go Away" and Called the Cops

I never imagined going back to my old workplace and being told, “You’re not welcome. Go away.” And I certainly didn’t imagine the police would be called in to do the dirty work.

But that’s exactly what happened today. And honestly? It feels good.

This morning I sat in silent protest on the pedestrian strip outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra. My mouth was gaffer-taped shut. I held a sign that read: Silence. Acquiescence. Complicity. I didn’t speak. I didn’t block anyone. I simply sat, still and quiet, outside the building where I used to work.

I was an Ambassador for Australia. I had postings to China, Japan and West Africa. I paid our United Nations peace keeping bills. And I represented DFAT as Australia's National Focal Point for the Responsibility to Protect, a job to help prevent genocide. Today, I returned not as a diplomat, but as a 57-year-old dad and an Aussie. Because genocide is happening in Gaza, and our Government is staying silent.

Within five minutes, DFAT security came out. They told me to "go away". I stayed still and silent. They said "you're tresspassing". Then they came back and said they'd called the Australian Federal Police.

The police were respectful, professional, and calm with me. They didn’t rush to move me on. They said they needed to verify if the pavement where I was sitting outside DFAT was Commonwealth land. After ten minutes, they came back to me. They said it was DFAT property and DFAT had the right to tell me to go. DFAT had told them I "was not welcome" and had ordered that I be "removed". The police said if I didn't move, they'd have to arrest me. So I complied. The DFAT security people said nothing.

I was there for a little over an hour in total. And what struck me the most was how many people walked past - colleagues from my former career - averting their gazes, pretending not to see. Probably 80% of people entering and leaving the building avoided eye contact. Their faces were tight. Their shoulders hunched. I was sad for them. But also more certain that this kind of action matters. Silence - literal and metaphorical - must be interrupted.

I’m not angry or embarrassed. I'm sorry for DFAT's silence and its discourtesy. And I’m proud of myself. I have a clear heart and a sense of peace. Sometimes speaking up means making others uncomfortable. Sometimes it means being told to leave. And sometimes that’s when you know you’ve done the right thing. (And there were a couple of DFAT people who did give me a sneaky nod or glance of approval and support.)

This blog isn’t the full story. It’s just a note from me, tonight, after getting home, after hugging my daughter who filmed the whole thing for me. If you want to understand why I did it - what I was protesting, what I believe Australia must do, and how you can help, then please read my original post here:

👉🏽 https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/silence-and-acquiescence-are-complicity

And thank you. To those who did make eye contact. To those who sent a quiet nod. And to everyone reading this and refusing to look away.

Let’s not be silent.

Let’s not be complicit.