Thousands of protestors marched in downtown Ottawa on Saturday as a part of a global mobilization movement “for people, for peace and for the planet.”
Draw the Line marked a day of action for more than 500 movements across 94 countries. It brought together coalitions and citizens to fight for the climate, plus economic and social justice.
Protesters gathered in front of the Office of the Prime Minister on Saturday morning before marching down Wellington Street to join the Gatineau contingent. Ottawa marched for such causes as climate action, Indigenous rights, support for Palestine, migrant justice and an end to militarism.
Among the participating organizations was the Community Action for Environmental Sustainability. Executive director Angela Keller-Herzog said Draw the Line could not have come at a better time.
“All these concerns are kind of colliding in this moment,” Keller-Herzog said. “Parliament has just come back. It really is an excellent moment for us to do this march and raise our voices for these intersecting causes.”
Elder Albert Dumont, a speaker and Algonquin traditional teacher from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, said citizens are at the core of change.
“It’s going to be up to the people to demand politicians,” he said at the demonstration.
Dumont added it’s crucial for the public to urge the government to prioritize the planet, especially the “health of the water and the winds.”
“Our future generations need it, your generation,” he said. “My great-granddaughter’s only five months old now. They’re going to need these things to be healthy.”
More than 70 groups were involved in Draw the Line Ottawa, including Carleton Climate Commons, Labour for Palestine, Migrante Ottawa and World-Changing Kids.
Emma D’Amico, co-coordinator and graduate student representative at Carleton Climate Commons, said the social justice issues Draw the Line fights for are “all wrapped within one another.”
“Fighting for one problem is fighting for all the problems at once.”
Demonstrators rallied through the heart of downtown, passing the U.S. Embassy and the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument.
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “Migrants in, racists out” and “One struggle one fight,” were among the chants echoing through megaphones.
Zuha Ahmed, an international student at Carleton University and member of Migrante Ottawa, said Draw the Line proves the power of community.
“The way forward is for people to join this fight and really be involved in their communities.”
________________________________________________________________________
Featured image by Iya Mendoza/the Charlatan.
