A Senate page managed to stand just meters away from the prime minister with a sign saying “Stop Harper” during the government’s throne speech in Ottawa today.
Brigette Marcelle De Pape had this to say after being escorted out of the Senate Chamber and then fired:
“Harper’s agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation. We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases, and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate. Most people in this country know what we need are green jobs, better medicare, and a healthy environment for future generations.
Contrary to Harper’s rhetoric, Conservative values are not in fact Canadian values. How could they be when 3 out of 4 eligible voters didn’t even give their support to the Conservatives? But we will only be able to stop Harper’s agenda if people of all ages and from all walks of life engage in creative actions and civil disobedience.
This country needs a Canadian version of an Arab Spring, a flowering of popular movements that demonstrate that real power to change things lies not with Harper but in the hands of the people, when we act together in our streets, neighbourhoods and workplaces.
Well, Brigette is one Canadian who stood up and took a strong, nonviolent stand for a safe and sustainable future for Canadians. She is an example to the rest of us who realize what is at stake over the next four years.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3hCWTqluU8]
More links:
Senate Page Explains Her Brave Stop Harper Protest On Floor of Senate Today
An interview on Global TV: Page Fired For Protest During Throne Speech
Update: Interview with Brigette on Power and Politics today:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFOys8Fqgno&feature=player_embedded#at=64]