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Let's be friendsP&P Campaigner Profile: Aaron Fitzpatrick
Every month People & Planet profiles an individual campaigner, in order for us to celebrate and highlight what P&Pers are doing. If you think one of your friends should be displayed on this page then then get in touch with us. This month's offering is...
Aaron Fitzpatrick (the one with the beard!)
Name Aaron Fitzpatrick
Age 31
University University of Hull
What are you studying? BA Globalisation and Governance
What inspired you to start campaigning? My first march was in 1994 with the Anti-Nazi League, but it was the events after 9/11 and seeing how blatant and obvious the American administration were, not just in the war on terror but from trade to denying global warming and a host of other things, and how complicit in all of it we all are and the injustices done in our name.
Describe your most memorable campaigning experience Being at the Stirling Eco-camp for the Gleneagles summit of the G8, last year. I had never in my wildest thoughts believed that the “social justice movement” was so huge and worldwide. The whole camp was an organic flow of ideas, actions and positivity that blew me away. How the barrio system (a unheirarchical system of organisation of the day to day running of the camp) worked with over 2000 people gave (and still gives) me hope that another world is possible and that we are on the cusp of a great change in global policies.
How did you first hear about P&P? Why did you decide to set-up a P&P group? I first heard of P&P at the camp mentioned above. After talking to a few people there about the organisation, and seeing the workshops in progress showed a level of professionality that suprised me, especially when a whole workshop (about 50 people) bared their arses to a passover of the ever present police helicopter!!! Earlier this year, after deciding that I had to come up with a personal solution to combating all these issues whilst leading a certain standard of life, I decided to go to university and study these issues in more detail. When I realised there was nothing going on in Hull for me to get my teeth stuck into I decided to set-up a P&P group. Luckily, Mooness, Lewis and Matt also had the same idea and together we managed to arrange everything quickly and efficiently between us to get a table at freshers fair.
What are your campaigning plans over the coming term? We want to do a lot of campaigning on climate change, and have a march across the Humber bridge scheduled for the 29th October (so watch out for us on the news!) we are also getting geared up for Shared Planet!! Other group campaigns range from Burmese Solidarity, getting Fairtrade University status to a wonderful idea of taking anti-racism classes into Hull schools.
With many commentators suggesting that apathy is rife amongst young people, what can be done to engage young people in the campaign for social justice? I dont believe that young people are apathetic when it comes to politics, be it on the social justice side or any other!! I do believe that we are completely disenfranchised with politicians. They tell us our concerns and beliefs are invalid in the modern world or that we are common criminals for wearing hoodies but dont address any of the problems we have. At the same time making themselves richer and more powerful whilst all saying the same thing. I believe a lot of people (young and old) see this hypocracy (and lack of political choice in the mainstream). Because we are not reminded of how everyday people have won all the major battles for freedom (be it for universal suffrage, labour laws or civil rights) we believe ourselves to be powerless. I also believe that we are too young to realise, and weren’t taught, why many of the things which are now an issue were in a large part down to past governments of this country (eg. developing world debt, the formation of Israel etc.) actions and how other people in the world may view the UK because of this, and the problems that this then holds. I guess what I mean is that we need to give political choice back to the people, show them how strong we truly are and just be honest about why these situations have evolved.
What do you think is the most pressing issue in the UK today? Jeeze! where to start!! we (or at least the politicians) have to stop paying lip service to global-warming and actually do something and that includes leading the global change. We need to stop with the neo-liberal based trade agreements and move away from a market driven economy, not just for other countries but also within our own. The same principals of free trade that blight the developing world are the same as the ones that are ruining the NHS, these need to be put straight before any more lasting damage is done. We need to stop siding with the imperialism of America and start an independant ethical foriegn policy, and now with North Korea testing its first nuclear bomb we need to set an example and get rid of our own plans to upgrade trident. But we could start with getting rid of Tony Blair before he wants to go, just for the morale boosting victory and to show Gordon he better listen to us!!!
What was the last film you watched? Syriana
Where would you most like to visit? So many places, so little money. Everywhere from Algeria to Zaire
What are your ambitions for the future? To marry my girlfriend, have children and a happy life whilst doing all I can to change the current political climate and address the issues that need resolving.
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