Protesting - it can be a worthwhile and effective way of getting out an important message. Just ask many community groups here on the Coast who have done soeffectively in recent weeks and months.
I have never had a problem with people protesting. It's one of the things I love about living in Canada and being a proud Canadian citizen. We all have a right to hold an opinion and voice that opinion when warranted. It's part of living in a democratic society. But when activism and political thought turns towards violence, that's when I get upset and lose respect for the cause.
Last Thursday, a group of 50 people took part in a violent demonstration on the streets of Vancouver. According to Vancouver police and what I read in Vancouver papers and watched on television, the demonstrators pelted people with eggs, threw mailboxes and newspaper boxes on the street, set fires, got into fights with police who were trying to keep calm and order and shouted vulgarities at whoever was within earshot. Besides the police, many in the crowd also took out their frustration on media assigned to cover the event. One Global Television cameraman was thrown to the ground and his camera was damaged.
Many in the mob wore masks to hide their faces and protect their identity. The demonstration was to protest the Olympics, homelessness and police brutality.
I was sick to my stomach when I saw the images on TV. I personally have no time or respect for violent protests. Attacking police, calling them pigs, tossing around mailboxes and setting fires is not the way to get across your message.
I realize that some people are getting frustrated with the lack of answers from government on issues of poverty, affordable housing and homelessness, especially in downtown Vancouver, but violence does nothing to improve one's standing in the eyes of the public - at least it doesn't for me.
I think this group can take a few lessons from the many organizations here on the Coast who have demonstrated and protested - peacefully - and have been able to get their message across to the public.
Last Saturday, the Sunshine Coast Peace Group held a rally at the cenotaph in Sechelt to mark the four-year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Despite the pouring rain, there was a remarkably good turnout and obvious community support for the cause.
In early January, a protest rally was held to draw attention to Highway 101 and the numerous accidents that have claimed lives in the past year and a half. Again, it was well attended by a well-behaved crowd, and an effective message was presented.
I could go on and cite examples of other groups on the Coast that have held effective rallies and protests of late, but I think you get the picture.
There is a right way and a wrong way to protest. Do it right, in a peaceful and respectful manner, and I'll listen. Do it in a violent way, and I'm tuning you out, or in the case of last Thursday's violence, switching the channel.
