My day began (or continued, as I worked from 7 to 7 the night before and did not manage to sleep before needing to leave for the protesting) with a bus trip to the initial gathering point for the protest. While on the bus I encountered several protesters and spoke with a man who would be unable to attend. The man is an educator who this day would be teaching a blind child with very conservative parents. He jested about taking the child to experience the positive energy of the protests and shared some of his thoughts on the event. It was heartening to talk with others of a like mind before arriving.
When I did arrive a large number of people had already gathered at Grand Parade, showing their opposition to a senseless war and a foul leader beneath a monument meant to honor the sacrifices of those who died to secure freedom. What more fitting living tribute could have been made to those souls than to work to prevent future violence of the sort they opposed and suffered?
I met with my sister Ilea and her boyfriend Greg there and talked with them for much of the time spent waiting for the march to begin. There were speaches given detailing the reasons we were gathered to protest, songs sung and plans shared. Among the highlights of this time was a song by the Raging Grannies, a group of older women who have been in opposition of the invasion of Iraq since before it began.
I was very pleasantly surprised to meet with my former minister Rev. Gary Burrill (author of Away) at the protest. I remember he had organized protests at his churches and is quite a progressive man. I always found him to be congenial and to have a kind and sincere disposition. Ilea mentioned that he had also brought other members of the communities he served and his own children to join in the actions. I have long admired him and am certainly thankful to have him represent his faith and the community I grew up in.
Before long the march to Pier 21 began, with over 4,000 people (4,000 being the low estimate, with some estimates as high as 7,000) filling the street, brandishing many inventive banners, costumes, displays and signs.
It was quite exhilarating to be among so many like-minded people, all gathered for such a noble cause and filled with a sense of positivity and hope.
This protest felt far more communal and convicted than had previous protests I was a part of. I’m not sure why it felt this way, but I was quite moved to be a part of something so positive and grand. Despite the slander those who dislike such protests may spread, the cross section of supporters of this event was truly vast and inclusive. People from multiple nations, all races, many religions, diverse economic backgrounds, education, careers and any other category you could think of joined with us in our opposition of Bush and his agenda.
The march proceeded through the downtown area to near where Bush was to give his speach. There we paused for a time, turning our backs to him. We then moved back to Cornwallis Park to spread our message better to those who might listen (as opposed to Bush, who obviously will not alter his course) among the media and people of Halifax.
The protest was certainly a success. It was peaceful and, I believe, an effective opposition to Bush and a sharing of our beliefs. It seems our efforts were downplayed by most media, but that should not discourage us. What we did on Wednesday was truly noble and will have an impact, even if it’s not an immediate one. It is our right and duty to continue our opposition to Bush and anyone like him who would stand in the way of us achieving a real and lasting peace. Awareness is the key, and we have awakened that in some.
Here are some more photos and some links:
I’d like to thank Brian Larter (mrlarter) for sharing most of the photos I’ve included here. He did a great job at visually documenting the protest and was kind enough to permit me to use them here.
The Halifax Peace Coalition organizes most peace protests here in Halifax and shares photos and articles for each of their events. You can find more about this protest in LOUD AND CLEAR – BUSH NOT WELCOME IN HALIFAX. Much thanks must be extended to this wonderful organization for all the great work it does. Photos shared by the organization were taken by Mason Macklem and his photos of the event can be found here.
From CBC: Halifax protest remains peaceful
26 comments on “The Great Unwelcome”
Aww, sounds like it went great. Awesome pictures!
It really was a great protest.
I’m awaiting approval to share some more photos from another couple photographers.
jesus christ – that American flag with the nazi symbol on it? Is really fucking insulting. Since when did this turn into an attack on American values? Seems to me like a lot of people neglected to remember who the enemy is in this situation.
I don’t know. I would have gone, but everybody from my neck of the woods was making idiots of themselves and making their pickets all with slogans about stopping the war. I can only see one sign in those pictures that serves a purpose, unfortunately.
I view the mock flag as a statement of the direction in which America is headed, not an attack on Americans who share our belief in peace. The flag itself points to imperialism as the enemy and indicates to me that those protesters are aware that the enemy is an ideology rather than a people.
The war is an important thing to protest, and I firmly believe we have a need to do so to help minimalize the damage of this war and to prevent any future ones. There were many signs at the event that had other purposes, promoting environmentalism, pro-choice, human rights, and many other vital issues. When I have clearance to share other photos I’ll add some that highlight that.
This is true, but it’s also a desecration of an American symbol, which can be insulting to many people. It’s a loaded image, and while yes, it may have this deeper meaning that attacks an ideology there’s no escaping the fact that the image itself is uncomfortable abbraisive.
Oh, I believe the protesting the war is okay as long as you know what you’re asking for. More conscientious approach to diplomacy in the middle east? Yes. Vioence in political upheavals as an absolute last resort? Definitely. Bush to pull his troops out of Iraq as they are now and leave the entire thing in shambles without fulfilling a single one of the “promises” he made going in there? No. That was unfortunately the mindset of a lot of people I saw going out to the protests, which is what kept me from going.
I think it’s good to offend people and be abbrasive sometimes. There is often a need to get under someone’s skin in order to have them reevaluate their beliefs.
I do know what asking for the war to end would mean, and I believe we should work at the same time for a way to make the transition from occupation to fair governance more just. I want the U.N. to be controlling the situation there, not one nation. Of course it would be terrible to leave the Iraqis without the ability to build a stable nation, but very few people are asking for that. When we say “U.S. out of the Middle East” or other slogans, we are not suggesting the Iraqis be left to a civil war, but rather calling for world involvement instead of unilateral American control.
There is a wide division between the country and its people–49% of whom supported Kerry, remember–and a government. I can understand the hostility to George Bush, the leader of a corrupt government; but when you see swastikas superimposed on American flags and the flag waves upside down, those images carry more of an anti-American sentiment than they do an anti-Bush one. Insulting people is hardly the way to get them to open their eyes; if anything, it’ll close them off and make them blinder.
Of course I know you’ve got a sensibile approach to the war, and the redistrobution of powers, but sadly enough not a lot of people are thinking that clearly. I’ve been doing a bit of polling myself and there are a scary number of people who have declared, quite firmly, that they believe that Iraq should be left alone and the western world should not meddle in their affairs. I understand that you’ve got a grip on yourself but you can’t be so confident for the thoughts and opinions of others.
I can see your point regarding the flag. I personally view it as a powerful statement, but I can see that it may insult people. Misunderstandings are unfortunate, certainly, and it is likely better to go with less offensive symbols most of the time.
American flags upside down, however, follow in a long history of protests where a nation poorly governed has its flag waved upside down. Some strong nationalists may be offended by this, but I don’t believe most Americans would have such a problem.
As far as America and its flag are concerned (and any nation that puts great importance into a mere symbol), I think it’s a terrible shame that such a dangerous sense of nationalism has developed and absorbed that symbol. While I concede that defacing it can be harmful, the nationalism of American is a huge part of this trouble and something we should be working to undo.
I think that the want to leave Iraq alone is a bit misguided, but I can see why people support it. They see all the damage done by invading forces and want to stop it. It’s reactionary, just like the “war on terror” is. At least these people are working toward something positive, I believe. I think that even an abandoned Iraq could be better than an occupied one, because it could give Iraqis the chance to build their own government rather than have one imposed upon them.
As an addition to my last statement, I’d like to add this.
I’m a socialist. Most people at this protest were not. Still, I walked with them because the goal of peace is bigger than our differences, even though I believe capitalism to be the cause of much of the problems we protested.
I supported Mr. Kerry in his run for president. He had a lot of policy I disagreed with, but he was working toward a goal I wholeheartedly agreed with and was the best chance we had to defeat Bush.
I think that differences need to be set aside when we work toward a greater goal. Only through cooperation can we accomplish the things that will truly benefit us all.
Thanks for the info
I would have been there if I could– these images are great Apollo they didn’t cover anyting about the protest in Newfoundland. and I think it was a shame because, Bush scared of ottawa runs to halifax to avoid the protests– he can run but he can’t hide.
Cassie
Re: Thanks for the info
I’m glad you enjoyed my entry. http://www.frozentruth.com has some other photos that I didn’t share in my LJ entry if you’d like to see those as well.
I think it is definitely a shame more attention wasn’t paid to all the protests held across Canada, especially NFLD, where so many people opened their doors to Americans after 9/11 and were a target of the “thanks” Bush was offering.
i’m glad to see so many peaceful people turned out (though, i had no doubt.) my thoughts of peace and change were with you and all the others yesterday.
i especially love the sign “Why did you come here Bush? Smell Oil?” 🙂
love and peace from a blue girl in conservative land.
I’m glad so many turned out as well. For a city of around 400,000 during a work day I think it was quite impressive – the largest in our history, so the accounts tell me.
That is quite a funny sign. There were a lot of witty ones there that I really enjoyed. The Yoda one I have at http://www.frozentruth.com is also great.
Love and peace from the orange (ND effin’ P) chap in Canada’s version of a semi-conservative land.
I thought the flag was an impressive statement and wasn’t offended by it at all, Apollo. And I’m one of those people that never ever lets an American flag so much as touch the floor, never mind be “desecrated”.
Bush is a Nazi Pirate, LOL!
As for the flag held upside-down, I didn’t know that symbolism and appreciate the explanation. Quite an education I’ve gotten today!
I’m not a fan of flags or nationalism at all. If we were to elect a conservative government that ran amuk I’d be happy for someone to make a Canadian-Nazi flag or otherwise desecrate our flag, because the majority of our country would have failed in its responsibility to keep us from harmful governance.
gah… i wish i could have been there, too…
I wish you could have been there too. I hear the protests on the rock were mostly ignored.
Yea, I didnt really hear of any… 🙁
It really was a great experience.
well!
Good for you man!!!
i thought you were canadian….? maybe i missed a key point
Re: well!
I am Canadian. Does that make some sort of difference?
Re: well!
nah… you just dont have to live with him like we do. i really appreciate the fact that other countries are sympathetic to our plight.
love from
sk
Re: well!
Yes, we don’t feel the direct harm of much of his policies, but Canada and the world are intensely harmed by Bush’s policies and I, for one, am going to do what I can to remove and keep people like him from power.
This makes me sad. 🙁
“less bush more trees” – that killed me, i love it.
the pictures are AMAZING. i have to say that i found the flags insulting and offensive, but there really isn’t too much i can do about it, is there? and they got their point across fairly well, aye? again, the pictures were startlingly amazing.
I can understand that some people do have that reaction to the flags. I wanted to share the photos of them both to give a real representation of the event and to prompt people to explore that reaction, to consider why they would find it offensive.
I really do think the photographers who allowed me to share their work did a wonderful job with these photos. It really displayed to me just how powerful the event was.