South America - part 3

 

Celeste’s reaction :

Well Tina, I'm speechless. This banner is your baby, no wait, is the baby of hundreds of kind souls. All the things you tell me in your mail, your commitment with One campaign and the compromise of the others zootopians, your efforts to try to change the stupid poverty which takes hundreds of lives, make me think in the lyrics of Zooropa 'she's gonna dream the world she wants to live in' ... isn't this the same world where all of us want to live? a place were you can ACT against injustice and make a U2 song take action in the most beautiful way? well, when you make the difference you're making this dreamed world exist. And this world now

has a flag, a symbol that I'd love to wave in Buenos Aires shows.

 

I'll do my best to spread the message of One campaign here.

I'll attend to the shows with a huge group of responsible people -well, most of them are responsible- so you can be sure the banner will be safe and in good hands. I'm so glad Max and Rafa gave you my mail, they are two of my favourite people. I know Max since 10 years ago. Max is a fighter, an idealist, he worked for Amnesty several years. He runs the website U2mexico.com which is excellent. My page (U2Arg.com) and his web share the forum With A Shout which is quite popular among spanishspeakers. I contacted Raf through this forum almost 2 years ago, he is such a great character, he knows and owns EVERYTHING U2 related, he's like Yoda Master of U2, the biggest U2 fan, I adore him.

 

hope to hear from you soon, and remember: it would be a honour for me to take care of zootopian flag

Love!

Celeste

Tina :

Next one in line was Marcelo in Chile. A bunch of us started a thread ‘zootopians united agains poverty’ holding as many websites as possible (worldwide and in a variety of languages) where people could find information or inspiration. One day, Marcelo posted there. I thought, hmm, interesting … Chilean. So I started reading his posts. See what kind of fish I had in the bowl. A good one, thus, I send him the same mail I send to Celeste. But with the warning that the time between Chile and Argentina was very short. I wanted him to make absolutely sure he could get it to Argentina, before I could promise him he’d have it.

South America - part 4

 

Marcelo’s reaction :

Tina, it was hard to start replying your email, while bono sings “we need new dreams tonight” (that randomly appeared in my play list) and after a few deep breathes, I’m able to write you back.

If you really want to hear my reaction it’s hard to explain, I get so pulled into the story while reading it and seeing how commitment can take shape in a simple but powerful action that I felt immediately committed to see how I can help on this. As you experienced yourself I felt at home when I met the zoo, really welcomed and frustrated for been so lazy and haven’t joined before, even worse because I’ve been a fan since I was 13 (I’m 32 now).

It took me just a few seconds to see how important it is what ONE MPH are doing, that I started looking some way to get some bands and maybe a t-shirt in my next trip to Miami, I’m flying there next Tuesday, because I checked the website and international orders can take up to 50 days, and it seemed like and eternity. So, trying to see what can be done in the mean time I read the thread in the zoo and notice that the banner can be “the” opportunity to do it, the opportunity to be helpful in something important; a chance to be a little less selfish and short sided.

I see poverty here; although I know God has been good with me and my beloveds, as well with my country I see people that suffer from extreme poverty and wish to help them, but help them more than with some money. I wish sometimes to be utile in something bigger, to be able to help more, but sometimes seems I don’t have time, but most of times that don’t see how to do it.

That’s why the banner called my attention, that’s why I felt I MUST be part of this, I’m already part of this family, and in every family all members have responsibilities and so the younger brother has to assume his new task, and so he will, if you think that Chile must be part of this, I’m sure it has to be.

From here to Bs Aires we have a window of only 48 hours to get it there, that means I’d had to see how to get it there within 24hours, so we have a backup on another 24 in case something happens. In the scenario that I can’t find a company that can warranty that I’ll see the way to fly there, my wife works in Chile’s major airline so I have cheaper ticket, in that case the person in Bs Aires will receive it from my hands, there’s nothing safer than that. I think that I don’t have to ensure you that I’ll take care of the banner the way it has to be done, because I wouldn’t have written this if I was no sure I can keep it safe.

Its 2:14 am now, this morning I’ll call my freight forwarders to see how sure will be to do it, in the mean time, after I send you this email, I’ll make flight reservations to have that option ready in case I can’t ensure that I have an 24 hours door to door option to send it. OK?

I hope I can help on this and I hope to hear from you soon, my best regards

Marcelo

Tina :

One more Chilean girl, Claudia, contacted me on the banner, so I guided her Marcelo’s way to have them working together. They got along surprisingly well, hihi.

I got on the messenger a few times with both of them to figure out how to work and who to contact in Chile (a special thanks to Holly Height – One volunteer in America – for her prompt replies when I needed more info and I didn’t have time to look it up), but after that, they were the ones running the show.

Once the concert date got closer, Marcelo sure kept me updated on how he was doing, sending me text messages at all possible times of the day. And night. He’d obviously totally forgotten all about time zones. But his enthousiasm had me grinning each time he send me one, so I really didn’t mind. Here’s a few of ‘m.

“ We went to the venue yesterday 6pm, cops kicks us out 9pm, we rented a room across the street from the GA door, 7 people squashed into a 2 beds room, this morning went to talk to the cops again and surprise the captain in charge of the security of the perimeter is married to an old friend from college, so we leave part of our belongings in his office (not the banner, never let him go) and we will be getting reports and info from him and to him. Can you believe that, we don’t have to think it’s a coincidence anymore right? WE ARRIVED TO THE VENUE BEFORE ANYBODY, 51 hours before! We are sure we will remember this, our entire life, a big hug from the Chilean nuts that spent the entire night looking trough a window to see if people were arriving!”

“It was 3.20 am local time in chile. 4.500 pple queueing in the streets. still 18 hours to go till the concert.

So far, I’ve done 1 newpaper interview, 1 radio-interview and 2 for major TV networks. I’m talking to pple, gathering signatures. Some came over just to see Bono and Edges signature, they don’t want to listen to what I say, so I don’t let them sign.”

 

Security wouldn’t let them hang the banner on the fence during the show. Two girls chatting them up and throwing in a few sigarettes … it helped to at least have a picture taken with the banner on the fence. And during streets, he pulled it out anyway, just held it with the group. Edges smile and your reaction … he was so happy he went through the roof. His first U2-gig …

A few days after the show, Marcelo had another radio interview. About he show, about the queue, about the banner, but mainly about ONE. He had that journalist signing up to the campaign at the spot !!! I think he’s getting quite good at this, hihi.

He couldn’t travel to Argentina after all, but had a solution after meeting a guy from Venezuela who did make the trip, Alfredo, who contacted me afterwards.

Alfredo Alvarado Caruci :

I am so excited this has been the most amazing and surreal experience more than a dream came true actually as a Venezuelan guy coming to Chile and Argentina meeting people with the same feelings about u2, I realized that Latin America beat at the same beating make me feel hopeful about our future. But I have to say this banner it’s a sign of union of the fans of u2 all around the world and be part of this has no words just leave breathless love you guys and….. “Que viva Chile y Venezuela” thanks Chile.

South America - part 5

 

Tina :

With all this planned, I found a post in the free section in the Zoo. ‘Brazil, call for action’. It was Cassio, ready to take things as far as he possibly could. I contacted FedEx, UPS, … none of them could deliver in time. And I couldn’t call it back from the pple I had promised it to. I asked some friends to contact local companies, to see if they could do it. I searched the Zoo for weeks, asked everyone to keep their eyes open to find someone travelling from Mexico to Brazil, but nothing came up. Baja tried everything humanly possible afther the shows in mexico to get it to Brazil in time, but Mexican customs and the weekend coming up made it impossible, even after I found someone in Sao Paulo who was willing to have it shipped to her place, and take it to Cassio at the doors on the day of the first or even the second show. I was gutted when I had to tell Cassio it was a no go. That man has worked so hard …

Donna :

Cassio was disappointed, but not discouraged - instead he found other ways to push for One (Probreza Zero - Zero Poverty in Brazil). With help from other fans, he designed a tshirt with the Brazil continent outline and Probreza Zero logo on the front, One.org on the back. He visited Probreza Zero offices and told them about other U2 fans at previous concerts raising awareness and convinced them to donate free tshirts for the Brazil show.

 

At this time, problems arose regarding ticket sales (we found out the average Brazilian fan would have to spend nearly 3 months wages for the cheapest seat) and Cassio could not get a ticket. (U2 came to the rescue and decided to televise the show for the entire country). Even with no ticket, Cassio kept working. The day of the concert, he and other volunteers handed out tshirts, 2, flyers, and nearly wrist bands to the fans in line. Probreza Zero also supplied 3- 20 meter long banners and Cassio was given a ticket for the show.

Cassio, after the show :

Hello, hello! Long time no see! :)

Sorry I haven't sent any messages earlier. After the show I travelled to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (working) and arrived home right now. I'm a little bit tired! :~~

 

People, here are the numbers: we delivered about 2,500 "ONE" sheets, 5,000 "ONE and CCP glue bands", 6,000 white CCP bands and 350 T-shirts.

 

More than statistics these numbers represents we did our best. Unfortunatelly some people who joined us in this forum had not meet us in the show due to the different gates we entered in. Neverthless, you all were so important with your spiritual support. There were great surprises. I met other great people who supported us in the first day of show. The second day was tough but we managed to deliver the stuff and spread the word.

 

Tina, I received your e-mail. Sorry I didn't answered it on time but I was so busy with this campaign... CCP sent us another banner with "Global Call For Action Against Poverty" writen in many languages.

 

There were lots of things happening! Some of them funny! On the first day the police didn't allow us to enter into the stadium with the banners (we had 3 banners, 20 meters each one). They alleged they were inflammable material. I insisted so much I had to take them in with me, that they brought me to the police officer in charge of the show security. LOL! So I explained all the stuff, what were we doing there and so on. While we was talking one helicopter came above us. They thought we were attacking the officer (Me and my friend were "wearing" the banners). The officer so started to shout: Don't shoot! Don't shoot! They are just talking to me! Everything is okay!! :) I was a little bit scared!

 

I kept insisting (and in some time we almost had a discussion) … he commited himself to talk to the show staff to check if I could enter into the stadium the second day with the banners. Okay, I accepted. On the second day I decided to pick the banners up in the Police Control Center in some room in the stadium. When I found the officer, he told me: Cassio, okay, you won. But please cut this 20 meters banner into just a 1 meter piece. So you and your friends can enter into the show. I said ok. But me and a friend of mine were wearing the banners again (was really funny... can you imagine you wearing a 20m banner?) and tried to enter in. The police of course stopped us again. So I told that "bands" was just for sitting and that the officer XXX had gave us authorization.

 

We lifted the banners during Sunday Bloody Sunday and during ONE. That moment I felt someway, somehow, we were part of that whole thing.

Thank you all for the help. The work is not finished, it has just started. If we work together this way we will manage to construct a better world.

 

See you! Take care,

Cassio Rocha.

South America - part 6

 

Tina :

South America was taken care of. New Zealand and Australia were next.

I wanted Leonie to carry the banner down under. For starters, she had many shows on her schedule, but I also knew she (along with Tammi and Irene) initiated the Zootopians For Peace project – you know, for the Chicago Peace Museum. And because of that, I had great trust in her even though I hardly knew her. Unfortunately, her job had her so cought up, she couldn’t give it enough time. Then I learned Germana would travel to NZ and Australia for the shows, along with Monica. Those 2 Italian women, who’d been part of the ‘banner crew’ in Las Vegas, said ‘YES’.

I had a struggle finding an addres to send the banner to in New Zealand. One person stepped up. I was to have it send to a friend of hers, she was gonna pick it up, and deliver it to Germana. That connection didn’t work out. Let’s just say there’s only so much crap I’m willing to take.

 

With Celeste already at the doors in Argentina, and her cell phone stolen – hence, I had no way to contact her - I did NOT want to continue. I needed a new address and FAST !

I asked my fellow fruitcakes if anyone knew anyone living close to Auckland ...

.

Donna :

The problem was solved by my 'non-U2' friend Jacqui, who lives in Auckland. She had heard me talk about the One campaign and the various efforts for over a year via emails and my livejournal, and was excited to suddenly become part of something worthwhile, and something that 'connected' her and I on another level. Jacqui signed the banner and with Tina's blessing, added her 6 month old daughter Hazel's hand print as well. The next generation!

THE REST OF THE TOUR WAS POSTPONED WHILE THE BANNER WAS ON THE WAY TO NEW ZEALAND

 

Germana :

I met Jacqui up on One Tree Hill, and she handed me the banner right there. It was a very emotional moment, being there, seeing the banner again, and the journal...

We took a few pictures, and then she left me alone......... with hundreds of zootopians. I sat there, right in front of the place where the tree used to be, and started reading the journal.............. and I started sobbing. It was almost unbearable, all of the emotions of this great year, and of the past few days........ and there we were, the banner and me up on One Tree Hill. It was amazing.

And while I was sitting there in tears... I heard a mother calling out to her son who was running around.... "JOSHUA!!"

yeah.

Tina, thanks again for creating that "piece of fabric", and thanks to each and every one of you who contributed to make it become the great symbol that it is now.

 

Tina :

Germana and Monica made their journey through New Zealand and Australia as planned. Meeting up with many Zootops, taking that banner with them. Monica texting me numorous times to give me updates on their adventures. The last one being in Sydney, where they took some wonderful pictures of the banner, wrapped around the Unicef bears.

On april 26th, I’m flying to Rome. It’s a shame that Germana, who lives in Milan, won’t be there. But I’m looking forward to meeting Monica who now still has the banner.

Time to bring it home … for now.

My ‘Dutch Zoo family’ has a party planned on may 13th in Woerden, close to Rotterdam. Their support and help, the friendship they so generously offer, are some of the feelings I tried to capture when I made that banner. I know they’re very anxious to see what it looks like now, and I’m very pleased to take it to them.

Sure enough, we’ll raise a few glasses on your birthday, it’ll be our pleasure.

 

Donna :

You once said: "I cant change the world, but together we can." I agree - to a point. Because of your passion, your conviction and continued determination, you have inspired us, and we in turn have inspired others. But if not for you, if not for your voice, this would not have happened. You said recently in an interview that the fans feel they have a stronger voice through you. I most certainly feel that. And so do most of the people that I've worked with and become friends with this past year. I"m glad that you've come to realize this and that the rest of the band has as well. Don't ever stop fighting for Africa.

 

powerful images

 

The picture with the bears in Sydney

 

 

The explanation on the bears

Wowowow Tina.. I don't think I could even put into coherent words the amazement at everything you and the lovely Zootopians have gone through to get your word out. I mean to not only attract the press but U2 (!!) themselves and so, so many fans! Wow.. it's incredibly inspiring and encouraging for me to see how well every thing turned out for you at the end, I already admire every single one of you so much! Courage like that only comes so often.. million thanks for taking the time to write that for us. Unreal.

 

Few questions.. ('cause you really can't make a post like that and not expect to get any! :lol:) When did you first start everything? Was it all just last summer? And how difficult was it to get supporters from established organizations, such as the ONE volunteer you mentioned? And I guess this question just depends on how long you guys have been at it, but what activities do/will you have when U2 stops touring? Also, do you guys raise awareness in every U2 show?

 

Donna.. thanks for the briefer on those organizations. I had no idea Edge had his own fund.. U2 never ceases to amaze, really. I can't wait for the day Coldplay comes forward with their own charity funds!

 

Thanks again for your advice and story Tina. By the way, I love how you refer to the various Zootopian groups as clans :lol: Very cute! Much respect to you girls :kiss:

blessings

 

My biggest blessing on this whole journey, is the knowledge that there's SO MANY people with good hearts still out there. In a world where terrorism, bombings, wars, natural disasters, famine and deseases seem to rule, and it is so damn easy to grow cynical ... I have found so many who dare to think different.

 

It is a tremendous treat to find you guys, doing the same. Bless you all for the work you'll be doing. I hope our story can inspire you, motivate you, as yours will do to us. And when you get frustrated from hitting brick walls, when you are tired and things don't seem to move as fast as you want them to, know that you are not alone ! United, we CAN make a difference !

Wowowow Tina.. I don't think I could even put into coherent words the amazement at everything you and the lovely Zootopians have gone through to get your word out. I mean to not only attract the press but U2 (!!) themselves and so, so many fans! Wow.. it's incredibly inspiring and encouraging for me to see how well every thing turned out for you at the end, I already admire every single one of you so much! Courage like that only comes so often.. million thanks for taking the time to write that for us. Unreal.

 

Few questions.. ('cause you really can't make a post like that and not expect to get any! :lol:) When did you first start everything? Was it all just last summer? And how difficult was it to get supporters from established organizations, such as the ONE volunteer you mentioned? And I guess this question just depends on how long you guys have been at it, but what activities do/will you have when U2 stops touring? Also, do you guys raise awareness in every U2 show?

 

Donna.. thanks for the briefer on those organizations. I had no idea Edge had his own fund.. U2 never ceases to amaze, really. I can't wait for the day Coldplay comes forward with their own charity funds!

 

Thanks again for your advice and story Tina. By the way, I love how you refer to the various Zootopian groups as clans :lol: Very cute! Much respect to you girls :kiss:

 

a long story and no questions ... that would be too much to ask for :-))

I started in feb 2005. I think Donna did too, but we didn't know that from one another. We found each other ... mmm ... april ? early may ? Been wondering 'bout that one myself :-)

 

Holly Hight ... Donna passed me her name, and she responds instantly at every question I ask. It's really amazing.

But euhm ... not everything goes that easy. I contacted ONE, DATA, ... on our white bands for Brussels too. It took quite a few mails, phone calls and text messages to get a reply. Eventually, it came. From London (I started off in America, btw). hih.

 

Donna can tell you a few sad stories on how MPH works (or rather - not works) in Cananda :-(

 

What we will do when the tour is over. Good question. We're struggling with that one. Donna has the comfort dolls, and I'm trying to give her a hand but so far, I haven't been succesfull. She's also talking to everyone she sees wearing a ONE band, to join the Walk against poverty ... (that's her story to tell :-))

 

I'm talking to Reggy, the one I worked with in Brussels, to get into motion in our own country again. Sammi started a yahoogroup to unite people who continue working. To exchange information and stuff. Renee is building a group of ONE volunteers in Salt Lake City, they'll be organising a fund raising festival this summer, ... Irene (who is in charge of the campaign in Japan) goes to New Orleans once a month with a group of volunteers to help restore houses, Tania just moved from Lisbon to Cork (ireland) to do volunteer work in a home for disabled, ...

We're all doing something, but our biggest strenght lies in us working together. We just have to find a new way to do that. Which is why I said you guys can be an inspiration, 'cause I saw you've been quite busy :-)

 

 

And no, we don't raise awareness at every show. Because we need someone going to that show to take the lead. If we don't find one doing that, we can't to a thing from such a distance.

 

o, right. I know, as a whole, the story is quite impressive. At times I'm wondering how the hell it all happened. LOL

Just know that it's a story of hundreds of people, and one thing leading to another. It's not like someone had a blueprint in his/her head before all this started. So don't admire us but join us in your own way, that's all I ask for.

hi there, i just read tina's entire story too, and although i lived it, when its in print, i cant help but wonder how it all came to be, and to be amazed at what we all accomplished together. it almost seems like i'm looking at someone elses life :)

 

tina wanted me to mention Toronto and the painting... long story short, after the success of Vancouver and other concerts, our local group of about 5 decided to go to another concert, but had to choose between Ottawa or Portland - both of which had G8 meetings around the concert dates... the objective was to raise enough stink here that our Prime Minister would listen to us and keep his promise on how much foreign aid to give... the other G8 countries like Britian and France all said yes to 0.07% aid, our leader said yes, then got elected and said 'not yet'.

 

In meantime, we came up with an idea after watching Live8 concert... a fellow held up a ONE banner and the camera guy caught it and filmed it. just the body language of holding a small banner in your hands over your head was enough to make us want that... it was powerful. The idea came to us while eating at a restaurant, to try and buy up (or get for free) old stained cloth napkins that the restaurant couldnt use any more. It didnt work, so we bought cheap bedsheets at Ikea, cut them up, and painted them with regular black latex paint one saturday afternoon. we did up about 3000 of them, and eventually they were used in Toronto and had a huge impact. Funny thing is none of us painting, were at that concert... but we still felt pretty good doing them and then later seeing them in people's photos from the show.

 

will have to go back and reread tina's posts to see what else she said i should mention :lol:

ah yes. the future. Portland wasnt the end... we are continuing this until the end of the tour, rumored to be Hawaii in december this year. There are so many people that still dont know about One and Make poverty History and only need to be told, and then sign up on their own... you would think u2 fans would already know... but not all people at the concerts are diehard fans that frequent forums and fanclubs :)

 

and yes, we branch out. Sammi is trying to get a group going in Seattle. the mayor last year named the city a One city, but there is no local group. Renee in Salt lake has a group going already, and they are organizing a music festival to draw attention to One. Tina and reggy in belgium are making noise, i'm getting a group together in vancouver, stopping people on buses and in shopping malls if i see them with a white band, giving them the url to our yahoo group if they seem interested. its not just noise now... its ideas we need - like bono's question on yahoo this week - where do we go from here? we are all trying to figure that out together.

 

like i said, one thing to do for sure is sign up to one.org even if you arent american. when they send you updates, go sign letters and such when they ask. sign up to live8.com and do the same thing. and sign up to makepovertyhistory.ca and send letters to our prime minister... canada is getting a failing grade right now...britain is passing. keep pushing the policy makers to do what they promised.

 

and find out if you have a local group. you might be able to volunteer at concerts handing out info packages. and there might be other events... canadian cities have a World Partnership Walk each year. you form a team and get people to sponsor you, and our government matches dollar for dollar that day. our team of 3 raised nearly $900 this year.

AND ...

 

And we might find more pple willing to spread the word at other concerts. Cause big events are a perfect place to do this kind of work.

 

Enough bands on tour this year, right ?

 

:D :D :D

yeah,of course,many bands are on tour

there are loads of bands touring this year why wats the plan wats going on people please tell me i want to join in kk luv lauren x-x-x

I am pooped!

I am pooped!

from reading? me too! :laugh3:

 

very interesting though ;)

I apologize that I haven't had a chance to update the first post. I will try to clean it up sometime this week. This thread has been quiet for quite some time, but I'd like to see it still be used as a place to bounce around CCC project ideas. Feel free to participate!

pins and patches? I'm dying to fill up my blazer, and i know tons of people will buy them if they just look 'pretty'. And if it's helping a cause, that's an extra plus.

I like that idea FluMTonks. As soon as we get t-shirt designs in the store, we'll branch out to other products.

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