Worker Solidarity Network Rallies for Climate Justice

Here's a nice worker and climate event that could have been better with some planning, and not just because of the windy weather.

Members of the Worker Solidarity Network gathered at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia under the slogan “climate justice is labour justice” to protest government inaction leading to drop of air quality and heat waves afflicting labourers across the country.

The protesters set up a stand to distribute promotional and educational material, also giving away thermometers to keep track of ambient temperature, whose peaks often lead to heat strokes at the workplace.

Participants were invited to write down whatever they wish to convey our elected representatives on pieces of cardboard, which were then read aloud and dropped in a giant mock thermometer. Of course there were demands of reducing emissions and transitioning to clean energy, but also various others grievances such as lack of protective equipment, low minimum wage, difficulty unionising, insufficient sick days, and failure to enforce existing safety regulations.

Protesters committing their many grievances to pieces of cardboard.

The event was inspiring, but turnout was rather low, and attracted few beyond members of the network, something I attribute to lack of promotion; if not for attending Worker Wednesday, even I might never have known. It feels like this rally, like many like it, unfortunately preached to the choir. Furthermore, it was unwittingly held in conjunction with Freedom Saturday, which has a reputation for interfering with competing rallies. Sadly, their inexperience dampened the efforts they put into logistics.

Since a few 350 members were attending the event, I would like to offer that it would have better been held in conjunction with the latter’s upcoming global day of action on June 28th; far from competing with each other, a joint event would have been larger than the sum of its parts. 350 likewise struggles to gather numbers at its own rallies and lacks logistics, but excels as coordinating rallies nationwide. That being said, it’s not too late for the two groups to work something out, while at the time of this writing, no event for the aforementioned campaign is currently scheduled in Victoria.

Recent Posts

FULL DISCLOSURE: Victoria City Council Directory

Fellow activists and advocates, come read the answer to every question about Victoria city council members that you've been too…

1 day ago

Environmental Activists Crash Cabinet Swearing Ceremony at Government House

Two dozen environmental activists staged a demonstration outside Government House in Victoria, as hundreds of guests lined up for the…

3 days ago

DOUBLE FEATURE: Palestine Solidary Rallies at Lockheed Martin’s Esquimalt Office, BC Legislature in Victoria

Been waiting for a Saturday that didn't feel like a routine Palestine protest? Here's two on the same day, including…

5 days ago

Letter Campaign: Uphold the Human Rights of the Unhoused Residents of Victoria

Demand Victoria council members comply with their legal obligations under human rights law, as enshrined under the Canadian Charter of…

2 weeks ago

Victoria Marches for Palestine, Take Fifty-Seven

While morale remains high among regular protesters even after a year of weekly demonstrations against the Israeli regime, the scene…

2 weeks ago

Introducing the Victoria Liberation Front

We are not powerless, we are disorganised!

3 weeks ago

Are you protesting social injustice?

Whether you're denouncing police brutality or government overreach, clamouring for a safe drug supply or affordable housing, defending homeless encampments or fighting off the colonial invader, advocating for the disabled or racial minorities, pursuing either legal or extralegal means of retaliation, you'll find plenty of interest within these pages by a fellow insurrectionist butting heads with a callous society and a corrupt system. Come misbehave with the rest of us!

Subscribe on wordpress.com (click the "Subscribe" button for email notifications)

Recent Posts