After our weekend picnics were rained out on consecutive weekends Occupy Melbourne's Dare To Share Teddy Bears Protest went off on Friday December 9th without a hitch. About 25 kids, carers and others met up in Treasury Gardens at 10am for a picnic before heading off on a tour of the various bodies involved in cutting $481 million from education spending in the past year. Despite a little interference from Protective Services officers we were able to occupy the lobbies of the Premiers Office, Department of Education and Department of Education (Office of Children and Early Childhood) buildings. At each we engaged in various activities including mic checks linking the big picture (capitalist greed) to the everyday one (cuts to TAFE, VCAL, occasional care, school maintenances, etc), sining the Teddy Bears protest song (lyrics below) and presenting novelty sized Education report cards (small version attached) failing the government for its anti-social behaviour and indicating that it "must do better". A fun time was had by all and we have plans for more kid friendly protests in the near future.

Video: http://youtu.be/80OeJ08Y8v0

If you go down to the school today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the school today
... You just won’t believe your eyes.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day that Big Ted cuts their funding

Chorus:
Budget cuts for teddy bears,
The little teddy bears were having a lovely time today.
Big Ted caught them unawares,
And cut their VCAL and their teachers pay.
See the classroom’s roof fall down
They have to run and shout
But the government doesn’t care
And everyday their mommies and daddies
Will have to stay at home
Because there’s no more occasional care.

If Ted goes out to the school today,
He'd better not go alone.
It's lovely out at the school today,
But Ted better stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their protest

Chorus