On September 20th, Campbell River joined thousands across Canada calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the various provincial governments to ‘Draw the Line’ for urgent climate action, justice, and peace. CBC News states there were 2,000 demonstrators in Toronto, Vancouver CityNews reported ‘thousands’ in Vancouver and turnouts numbering in the hundreds were reported in Victoria and Ottawa. While major urban centres drew crowds in the hundreds and thousands, smaller communities across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands also had gatherings. Between 60 and 70 people turned out at Campbell River’s Spirit Square. At least 10 of these came from Quadra Island and 7 from Cortes Island.
“Maybe more people would have come to join us if it had been sunny, but the worst of the rain held off until we were nearly done,” said co-organizer Mandy Vaughan.
Her fellow co-organizer, Murray Etty, outlined the demonstration’s five core demands:
- Put people over profits – fund families and communities.
- Refuse ongoing colonialism – uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
- Stop blaming migrants – demand full immigration status for all.
- Act on the climate crisis – transition off fossil fuels.
- Work for peace and justice – end complicity in wars and global inequality.
One of the highlights of the demonstration was a speech by former North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, who mentioned the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the struggle to hear Indigenous voices, especially at the local level.
Sue Moen, formerly with the Salvation Army and a Green Party candidate during the 2017 election, spoke passionately on social justice and migrant justice.
Etty spoke on the climate crisis and urged everyone to speak up, to contact all levels of local government and the media, to let their concerns be known.
Aaron Gunn, MP for North Island-Powell River, Anna Kindy, MLA for North Island and all of the Campbell River councillors were invited to the September 20 rally, but did not attend. Mr Gunn and Councillor Tanille Johnston sent regrets.
Kathy and Garth Cullen led the crowd in singing ‘Canada is Burning, Canada’s on Fire,’ a song written by a member of Seniors For Climate.
Vaugh explained that one of her high points was “the way in which everything and everyone came together. Tents, tables, chairs and sound equipment came via Sue Moen and the Farmers Market. Passersby helped set up tents. Guitar stands and mikes were positioned, banners hung, and tables were set out with large sheets of paper for public comments on speaker topics.”
Etty opened the rally with a land acknowledgement and dedicated it to Rich Hagensen, former Chairperson of the Campbell River Chapter of Council of Canadians, who passed away Aug 31.
Draw the Line Protests were also held in the United States, Europe and a total of 93 nations around the world.
Links of Interest:
- Saturday, September 20: Drawing the Line in Campbell River – Cortes Currents
- Draw the Line Canada website
Top photo credit: Some of the people at Spirit Square – Nancy Beach photo
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The only way we can get ride of carbon fuels is to get cold fusion to work. I worked on this for two years.Needs serious attention.
Dear Roy,
Thank you for working 10 hours a day, & 7 days a week on producing Cortes Currents, including this great article !!!
Thanks Nancy:
But to be honest I have been pulling back a lot since the Spring. I was gone for three months and while I still do long hours some weeks, there are others that are relatively slack.