Mirage: 2040 ...Part 9 ...Taking Back Power
Power to the People
Lev and I were both disturbed by the Dean's remarks but there wasn't enough detail yet for us to plan a course of action.
We decided to meet the following day for lunch at Hart House and in the meantime I'd talk to Creed and see if she found out anything about the planned Emergency Measures Act the government was intending to enact.
But we were both in agreement about one thing—whatever the government was planning to implement was almost certain to restrict not only our academic freedoms but out personal freedoms guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.
These were unnerving times and any advanced warning would help us prepare and so avoid any impulsive reactions we might later regret.
Creed was waiting for me outside The Star building and waved as I pulled up to the curb.
If she learned anything ominous or threatening, she did a good job of disguising it in case she was being watched.
When she got in the car she leaned over and spontaneously kissed me and when she did, I realized how much I missed her.
She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I know how she felt—she was trying to decompress. She must have had a trying day.
"It doesn't look good," she said solemnly, "the Prime Minister is making an announcement tonight in conjunction with other Allies. This Emergency has far-reaching implications."
I nodded. "Dean Atkinson called an emergency meeting of all the university Chair persons and alluded to the government's announcement tonight. Do you know any of the specifics?"
She shook her head. "I don't know what they're planning for universities but I can guess based on what they're going to say on television. They're convinced a cabal of global elites is trying to take control of the media and spread misinformation about the government. To prevent this, the government wants to curtail internet freedom and closely monitor freedom of speech and dissent. I can only imagine where this will lead."
I glanced over at Creed and saw she was trembling. Obviously she was visibly shaken by the press briefing and the reactions of her peers.
"We've got to take action to counteract such arbitrary measures," I told her.
"But what can we do if the government uses the Emergency to keep the internet shut down? I feel so helpless," she moaned.
I tried to reason with her calmly.
“Sometimes it helps to take action—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—it’s the principle of momentum. Once you start a plan into action, people come on board and partner with you and it results in an almost geometrical progression.”
“Okay,” she smiled, “I see what you mean, but where do we start?”
“I think we start locally in our neighbourhood. The residents are upset that vigilante groups disturbed our peace by invading our space—so we push back. We organize neighbourhood watches and prevent these outsiders from gaining a foothold. Who knows where it may go from there?
“I guess it’s a start, “ she conceded.
“Once other districts see what we did they’ll do the same and we can end up networking with various neighbourhoods and increase the scope of our influence.”
“You’re right. I feel better already.”
We got home just as it was getting dark.
The golden retriever pup was off the charts excited to see us, so we took him out for a walk around the block.
Fortunately, we saw no groups of outsiders beginning to gather and the streets were calm and peaceful.
Creed was apprehensive again.
“What if our neighbours feel the crisis is past and we don’t need to keep watch?” she asked.
“I think after tonight’s speech, people will be wary of any show of government power. We can’t lose anything by trying,” I consoled her.
I was also encouraging myself. We had to do something to push back. Organizing at the grassroots level was a good place to start.