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Noor at David Smith MP’s Office: Accountability Starts Locally

  • Writer: Gregory Andrews
    Gregory Andrews
  • Mar 25
  • 2 min read

Today I placed Noor outside my local MP’s office, David Smith MP.


Noor is #SchoolgirlUnderBombs: a small figure with a single book. She exists because I can't stomach the weasel words Australia uses when it backs Trump and Israel’s military action in the Middle East: “We support it.” “We’re not involved.” “We can’t comment on the law.” Meanwhile, schoolgirls and other innocent civilians are dying under the bombs.


A local MP’s office might seem like an odd place to make a point about the Middle East. But this is precisely where responsibility becomes real. Foreign policy is carried out in our name. It is defended in our Parliament. It is shaped by the political culture our MPs help create: what they're willing to condemn, what they are willing to condone, and what they are willing to call “complicated” when children are being killed.


Support isn't neutral. Support is not a word that floats above consequences. Support is political cover. Support is permission. Support is the decision to align with the powerful and avert our eyes from the powerless.


Noor’s job is not to persuade with paragraphs. Her job is to collapse the distance between Canberra’s language and the human reality it helps normalise. A schoolgirl with a book should not be a symbol of war. Yet here we are.


If you want Noor in your town, I can send you a Noor poster. Take her to your local MP’s office, a minister’s office, an embassy or consulate, a weapons contractor, or any place where she can make a statement. Photograph her. Post her. Let her be seen.


Follow this link for information on how to get a Noor poster.

Noor #SchoolGirlUnderBombs visits the office of David Smith MP.
Noor #SchoolGirlUnderBombs visits the office of David Smith MP.

11 Comments


Christine
Mar 25

Perhaps, Greg, that image could be downloaded or copied for use on social media or for use as a car window sticker? You could have your Lyrebird Dreaming info on it, too. I think the image of Noor would be seen by a lot more people if it were on social media. I stopped using social media after Twitter became X but my car is covered in stickers. I could get the local print shop to do some copies and spread them around. What do you think?

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Mike Whiting
Mar 25

Well said Gregory.

I loved your vegetable production also shown previously

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Gregory Andrews
Gregory Andrews
Mar 25
Replying to

Thanks Mike. Veggie gardening is good for the body and soul for sure!

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FranM
Mar 25

I couldn't find the link for Noor

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Gregory Andrews
Gregory Andrews
Mar 25
Replying to

Dear Fran. You can find my email in the blog. Once you email me with you contact details, I can send you Noor. Cheers Gregory :-)

Edited
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Guest
Mar 24

A picture's worth a thousand words. Great idea. Most of our politicians are a disgrace - a bunch of gutless wonders.

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Gregory Andrews
Gregory Andrews
Mar 25
Replying to

Thank you😀

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Fay
Mar 24

Great initiative Gregory.

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Gregory Andrews
Gregory Andrews
Mar 25
Replying to

Thanks Fay 😀

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