New Year - Take a Stand for Something

Looking back from 10 – 15 years ago, there are so many things happening now, that if they were predicted all those years ago, we would have sworn on our lives, that it will NEVER happen.

a) Who would have known that religious fanatics would have the audacity, not only to take Westerners / Americans as hostages, but start be-heading them, no matter how much their families plead. Many are innocent volunteers who go to help such countries and what do they get in return? This has even gone downhill, in light of innocent kids being shot at in Schools by terrorists recently. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/17/world/asia/pakistan-peshawar-school-attack/

b) Who would have known that kids would not only take guns to schools, but fire these weapons at their own peers and teachers ~ taking lives and ending dreams?

c) Who would have know that women in certain countries would be put to death for reporting they were assaulted by a man or young women learning in School would be kidnapped from the classroom by ignorant, insensitive, religious groups, while their parents have sleepless nights for months and some even die from the stress?

We never saw it coming!

Do you remember the Sudanese woman, Mariam Ibrahim? She was sentenced to death and delivered her baby in prison because she converted from Islam to Christianity to marry her Christian husband. If the world didn’t get involved, especially via Social Media, she wouldn’t be alive now, but she was one of the lucky ones. Many have already faced the consequences. http://time.com/3028454/mariam-yahya-ibrahim-sudan-apostate-christian/

It’s shocking, it’s painful but those who are taking a stand will continue to. They have to continue because “every time we stand up for those who can’t stand for themselves, we are promoting Peace and Love.”

In this New Year, we can stand up for Something.

How can we?

• Write about it.
• Retweet any important tweets and raise more awareness, also on other Social media.
• If need be, sign a petition with other people for the government to get involved.
• Point people in the right direction. E.g to groups / Charities that can help them. Child Abuse / Violence / Citizen Advice Bureau etc.
• Donate to relevant Charities. E.g Red Cross, Amnesty. £5 or $5 a month or every 2 months?

These are just a few ways. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. ~ by Howard Zinn ¸.·*♡

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Is there anything close to your heart, that you take a stand for or would like to? Feel free to share in comments and raise awareness.

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Nice to see over 1 million people (including Presidents and Prime Ministers) march in solidarity in Paris, on 11 January. A demonstration against Terrorism in light of the Terrorist shooting some days ago. It was also to honour the 17 people killed in the attack, which targeted a Satirical magazine, a Kosher Supermarket and Police.