a weekend of community activism

by rumon

The weekend that’s quickly receding in the rearview was an uplifting one for activism, community and change.  My Saturday was spent running from one inspiring event to the other, first the For the Love of Haiti 6k Walk/Run along the Beacon Hill Park waterfront, a Haiti fundraiser organized by a group I’m a Board member of, Runners of Compassion.

Next up was Victoria’s installment of the nationwide Rallies to Resume Parliament, pro-democracy community gatherings speaking out against the Harper government’s prorogation of Parliament.  Though estimates vary, the Victoria event was attended by anywhere from 500-1000 individuals including MPs Denise Savoie (NDP) and Keith Martin (Liberal), UVic professor Dennis Pilon and environmental youth activist/change leader, Jamie Biggar.   The Times Colonist’s report, via Richard Watts, can be found here.

Though I’d love to take more time to reflect on these events and what they indicate vis-a-vis what many are describing as a building groundswell of grassroots political engagement, compassion and activism, deadlines loom and must take priority.