The Vancouver Art gallery steps seem to have become the Hyde Park of the west coast.
There, on any weekend, you can find concerned citizens, conscientious objectors, small groups of people, or large throngs; one lone voice or a solo guitar; academics, seniors, students, religious social activists and sometimes a politician. This is civil society at work: the ultimate democracy in action.
It could be many voices raised in protest against an independent Kosovo; as it was a month ago.
It could be a handful of politicians and activists demanding a women's ski-jumping event at the 2010 Olympics... complete with media.
It could be a few young people speaking out for potable drinking water as a human right; acting out a small play with buckets...the real-life drama of millions in the developing world (with no one stopping to listen except for Fairchild Media, who, bless their hearts and community interest, can always be counted on to turn up; to record; to shine the proverbial light).
On Sunday Mar 30th, there they were: citizens of BC, some across Howe St. with a plethora of plastic bags... warning us against that particular form of pollution. There were also three young, people with a brightly coloured tent, touting the benefits of respect for global diversity.
On the gallery steps and the sidewalk were people holding orange signs reading "Say No to S-203"; this was the group I went to support. They were speaking out for the animals who daily face abuse, negligence, and death at the hands of powerful humans for whom they are nothing more than chattel.
Then there were groups few weeks ago and again on this past weekend, reminding the Harper Government that it’s turned it's back on Darfur, while the genocide there continues unabated.
Citizen participation.
Vive la democracie!!
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
