Monday, September 26th is a day of action across Canada as activists take to the streets in Vancouver, Toronto, and on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
If you can’t make it out to the streets, follow our updates on Twitter: we’ll be tweeting updates from the actions
Stop the Tar Sands: Direct action on Parliament Hill
Hundreds have gathered on Parliament Hill this morning to say Say No to the Tar Sands — tune in live to hear speakers and learn more about this action here. The rally will be followed by a mass civil disobedience sit-in. Participants are responding to a call to action for a large peaceful protest where many will risk arrest to tell the Harper government they don’t support his reckless agenda and urge him to turn away from the tar sands and build a green energy future that promotes climate justice, respects Indigenous rights and prioritizes the health of our environment and communities.
The action began at 10 a.m. with a solidarity rally in front of the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill featuring a number of speeches from prominent individuals from labour (CEP’s President Dave Coles was among the first speakers this a.m.), environmental organizations (including Greenpeace, the Council of Canadians and Polaris) and Indigenous communities directly impacted by the tar sands. Following the speeches, waves of participants in groups of 20 or more will separate from the solidarity rally and choose to risk arrest by participating in a peaceful sit-in near the front doors to Centre Block.
Follow Twitter for updates on @greenpeaceca, @ottawaaction and @rabbleca throughout the day, and check out rabble’s website tonight and tomorrow for photos and reports from this action.
Rally for Respect in Toronto
Residents from across Toronto are coming together for a Community Day of Action for Toronto, at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, at Nathan Phillips Square. On September 26, City Council meets to discuss the Core Service Review and the 2012 budget. Hundreds of Torontonians will gather in Council Chambers that day as major decisions are made at City Hall. These decisions will affect the entire city and its future.
Watch this excellent video for more on today’s 5:30 p.m. Rally for Respect.
For more info go to: http://www.facebook.com/RespectToronto
We’ll keep you posted on Twitter, and also follow @cupelocal79 and look for a report and photos on this action on rabble.
Follow the Toronto City Council deliberations today on twitter with Dave Meslin @meslin and Councilor Mike Layton @m_layton
Protest War Criminal Dick Cheney in Vancouver
In Vancouver, activists will gather from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PST to protest Dick Cheney’s visit to Canada.
The misnamed ‘Bon Mot Book Club’ in Vancouver is hosting war criminal and unrepentant torture and war advocate Dick Cheney at the Vancouver Club on Sept. 26.
Under international and Canadian law, he should be banned from entering the country or arrested upon arrival. The NDP has called him not to be permitted into Canada (watch video of MP Don Davies on the NDP position). Organizers believe it’s outrageous that the Harper government, which has on a number of occasions banned anti-war speakers and other social justice activists from entering Canada, would allow this war criminal to enter Canada to promote his new book.
Activists in Vancouver plan to give Cheney the welcome he deserves.
Follow @stopwarca and @rabbleca for updates this evening, and watch for more on rabble in coming days.
For more on why its important to protest Dick Cheney’s visit, click here, and stay tuned for a report from today’s protest.
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