It’s been frustrating for me to continually read — both from mainstream and alternative news sources — that direct action (as a movement and as a tactic) will die when Bill C-51 receives royal assent and officially becomes law.
Never mind the moral panic from the progressives among us who are calling out like drowning men that we will be forever trapped by the language in this bill, especially when standing up to the federal or provincial government, or corporations, that seek to destroy Mother Earth.
As there is a clause in the bill that could potentially label direct action activists as “terrorists”: critically that Bill C-51 makes it illegal for anyone to interfere with the “economic and financial stability of Canada.”
But it’s not the end of the world yet, there are options to resistance.
The first being go out and vote in the upcoming election. Get your friends to vote.
You can visit the Kill Bill C-51 campaign for more information and to send letters to your MPs.
Critically, know how your MP has voted on Bill C-51 and either support them or petition them to change their minds (and that of their party leader).
If the political party you support has a leader that has been flip-floppity about his support, hold him to account that he will repeal this bill if elected.
I also want to note that I have no idea how Bill C-51 could hold up to a Charter challenge with our Canadian Charter, Section 2, that reads that Canadians have, “The fundamental freedoms are freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of belief, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.”
I want to give a big Huzzah to Vancouver that is keeping the pressure up.
They are on their 17th week of action and petitioning around killing the bill.
Their next action is Monday, June 15 at 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. starting at Broadway and Commercial Drive.
Please check this website for more information.
See, there is hope!
#RejectFear
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