Packed into the tiny hexagon theatre at the MAC Birmingham, I had no idea what to expect from the sold out performance of ‘Rocking the Wire’, a theatre production based on the experiences of women from Birmingham at the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. The performance was intimate and interactive from the get go, so despite the minimal set, I really felt I was there rocking the wire fence around the base and breaking in to climb atop a nuclear missile silo in the dead of night. We even learned some Greenham chants and practiced techniques for non-violent direct action. At the end of the performance there was an open discussion, where the audience were invited to reflect, or share their own Greenham memories. After an emotive production, this facilitated a vital discussion about what it means to celebrate Greenham today, why it is still relevant and what we can take from it. I left the performance with my fire stoked, grateful for this Sunday evening dose of inspiration. Women from all walks of life and all corners of the country came together at Greenham, and I was reminded that whether you’re protesting US cruise missiles or lobbying your council on local issues, ground-up activism works best when we come together and collaborate. After Birmingham Friends of the Earth got a name check for their representation at Greenham, I was also reminded of the incredible local legacy that I am part of as a BFOE volunteer. It is too easy to feel powerless, especially when we feel we are fighting alone. We are far from powerless, especially when we join hands.
