|
 Hazel Voice, community
activist against fireworks, started Voice for the Voiceless on 1
January 2006
when she could no longer tolerate the suffering caused by the
anti-social use of fireworks.
Having relocated from
the bustling, noisy city of Johannesburg to the tranquil, calm of
Ramsgate, the violation of personal rights and space caused by
fireworks became more evident than ever before.
"By night, I was
comforting terrified pets. By day, I was reading about
traumatised pets, domestic animals and wildlife, babies,
disabled and elderly people. Virtually every kind of
inhabitant of our glorious South Coast was being adversely
affected and something had to be done about it," said Hazel Voice.
It was time to get off her chair and get off her chair she did!
Hazel ran the campaign
virtually single-handedly for the first year of its existence:
gathering signatures, creating awareness, e-mailing news groups,
ensuring press coverage, impressing upon the Municipality ... endless
hours of dedicated effort. Today, she has an effective network
of active supporters determined to bring about real change.
Whilst still very
frustrated that she hasn't been able to change the world ... yet ...,
Hazel has had the satisfaction of seeing some change in the area:
-
Loerie Awards
2006 did not stage its customary fireworks display
-
Wozani Africa
used laser lights at the organised New Year's Eve beach parties
at Margate and Southbroom
-
Hibiscus Coast Municipality has finally called a public meeting to
consider amended Fire Brigade Bylaws
"I congratulate the
Loeries and Wozani and thank them profusely for their caring
efforts.
I also thank:
-
the hundreds of ratepayers and residents
that have come forward to add their voice to the campaign.
-
the SPCA and Crag's View Wild
Care Centre for their tireless efforts to rescue, save and
comfort animals that have been traumatized by the worst animal
of all - man!
-
the Voice
for the Voiceless
representatives that have made themselves
available to champion the anti-fireworks campaign in their areas.
You are indeed champions. Thank you for your caring efforts.
-
and, a very dear friend, Joy
Crutchfield who spent hours and hours researching, collating and
designing this site in order to educate and make more people
aware of the dangers of fireworks. This is not only a site for
trying to rid the world of fireworks but it has turned into an
educational tool. Thank you too Joy for all your advice and
assistance.
When Hibiscus Coast
Municipality aligns its policies with those of leading nations; when holiday makers no longer
violate our Bylaws; when local residents no longer support those
stores selling fireworks; and when we can get through a 'time of
celebration' without a fireworks burden being placed on our Police,
Protection Services, Fire Department, Hospital Services and SPCA;
then, and only then, will I consider the Say NO to Fireworks campaign a success."
Say NO to Fireworks - its the humane thing
to do. |
