The values helping guide our art making process: truth-telling, reverence, creativity, care and impact. This action welcomes everyone – from organisers to those who are looking for their first opportunity to take action. Arts activism is just one of many ways we can and should act.

WHAT: we are making one Press vest for every journalist killed in Palestine. They are life-size and can be individually held. The back of each vest has one martyr’s name and photo.

WHERE: vests are being made and stored at Garage 35 Art Studio – a non-profit cooperative in Noble Park on Boonwurrung Bunurong Country.

WHY: this project is inspired by Paper Kites for Palestine and the Will of Palestinian Journalist, Anas al-Sharif, who was martyred by an Israeli airstrike in August 2025:
“I entrust you with (Palestine’s) people, with its wronged and innocent children who never had the time to dream or live in safety and peace…I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you.” . Data including names and photos are being sourced from: shireen.ps/press

WHO: the vests are being made by the community in Melbourne’s south-east. Open sessions are being promoted by Free Palestine Dandenong for anyone to help create the vests. This project has an emphasis on bringing in new people to the movement (i.e. artists, folks in the south-east, Journalism students / arts students etc.) through arts making.

HOW: Art making sessions are being facilitated by an Arts Therapist, Gen Townsend (she/her), to offer space for community to grieve, act, learn and share. There is a Whatsapp channel in the Free Palestine Dandenong community to discuss ideas and coordinate how the vests can have impact through public display and activation. This is an open group that anyone can join to collaboratively make decisions.

JOIN PROJECT WHATSAPP: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HCcY9hIK2nl84iR8zxTdLe?mode=ems_copy_t