The Working Group to Stop Bill C-51 was very active during the month of February, organizing six actions including four pickets, a banner drop and a very successful conference. As the new Liberal government continues to stall and avoid discussing Bill C-51, it's increasingly important to continue organizing public actions to demand an immediate repeal of the much despised law.
Weekly pickets and petition drives have become the backbone of the Working Group's campaign to Repeal Bill C-51. Across the Lower Mainland – from Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster and all across Vancouver, the group sets up information tables, collects petition signatures, hosts speakers, chants slogans and generally engages the public on the issue of Bill C-51. 2000 signatures have now been collected by the Vancouver group alone since Bill C-51 became law this summer, and February 29th was a special action titled, “51 Pickets Against Bill C-51!”
The Working Group is also trying to find new and creative ways to draw attention to Bill C-51. On February 15th it held its first ever banner drop on the busy Stanley Park Causeway leading out of downtown Vancouver. It was one of the wettest days of the year, but that didn't stop the protestors from setting up a large new banner on the pedestrian walkway above the road, or the many drivers who honked or gave the thumbs up in support. This kind of action will definitely be repeated.
The month also culminated with the “Repeal Bill C-51 2016” Conference at the Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre on February 28th. Six panelists representing diverse organizations gave presentations, and the 70 conference attendees participated in very animated discussion focused on moving the campaign to “Repeal Bill C-51!” forward.
March 7 will the Working Group's 52nd action, a picket and petition drive marking one year of consecutive weekly actions. The Working Group will use the opportunity, as it always does, to reaffirm its commitment to continue organizing until Bill C-51 is repealed.
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