September is always an important month for social justice organizing. Schools are back in session, and the Parliament of Canada usually resumes as well. This September had a special significance for the Working Group to Stop Bill C-51. As Parliament resumed, the Senate was reaching the last stages before making a final decision on the Liberal's Bill C-59. Despite promises otherwise, this new law would do little to address the human rights concerns created by its predecessor. This made it all the more important to be out in public educating and organizing in defence of human and democratic rights.
Weekly actions had continued through the summer, but now the Working Group prioritized holding pickets and petition drives outside of busy college and university campuses in Vancouver. The response was enthusiastic, and many students stopped to ask questions are sign petitions.
While the days were getting shorter, there was still time to get in a few last banner drops before Fall truly set in. While Bill C-51 has been covered very little by mainstream media recently, there was still a lot of responsive honking both in New Westminster and Burnaby.
After 186 consecutive weekly actions there continues to be many interactions with new allies longtime supporters. The Working Group continues to emphasize that both Bill C-51 and Bill C-59 have nothing to do with “safety” and everything to do with expanding governments suppression of human and democratic rights. We cannot allow these to go unchallenged.
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