We Have Done It!

Thanks to everyone who has backed our campaign and petition in support of Ukraine and Ukrainians thus far. It’s been really heart-warming to see people coming together across national borders, time zones and languages. Participants didn’t just come from different places, but also different walks of life, generations and social groups. This resonance is beautiful.

• Those of you who haven’t heard about our #LightsOff in Support of Ukraine campaign yet, please see democracyschool.com/lights-off

Whilst by 8:00 PM last night only about 180 people had actually signed our petition – it’s still going, please sign it at change.org/lights-off – we have received amazing and abundant feedback, as well as thank-you messages, via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp from all around the world.

There were so many touching stories about what people did in the hour of darkness: discussing the war, contemplating the dark, cold, terrifying night in Ukraine, praying.  We understand that our campaign needs to be repeated and sustained, but as there are many other substantive actions going on for Ukraine at the moment, we plan to enact #LightsOff monthly instead of weekly, with #LightsOff actions scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month.

Especially during the early stages of the war, we realise that there are other groups that wish to organize complimentary actions, as has already happened last night. We encourage any non-profit organisation wishing to partner with the Democracy School either to help promote our #LightsOff in Support of Ukraine campaign and petition, or to enact their own complementary campaign action (such as the ringing of church bells for example) to get in touch. We are stronger together.