B.C. First Nations leader looks to border rally, predicts more rail blockades
January 02, 2013 - 8:48 AM
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs believes the Idle No More movement will continue to gain momentum, and he's preparing for a weekend rally at a major border crossing south of Vancouver.
Chief Stewart Phillip says an event is planned for Jan. 5 at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C.
He also predicts continued rail blockades such as the one in Sarnia, Ont., or Sunday night's nearly five hour halt along the main Via Rail corridor between Montreal and Toronto.
Phillip says grassroots activism will gather strength through 2013 as supporters fight the federal government's omnibus budget legislation and extend their concerns to broader issues such as inequality and treaty rights.
Idle No More leader Pamela Palmater has already noted protests are evolving to include more civil disobedience, although calls for blockades at Canada-U.S. borders on Saturday have not been endorsed by organizers.
The Idle No More movement has grown in response to a four week hunger strike by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, as she seeks a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (CHNL)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013