Support for protestors to “Occupy” two Halifax sites
Posted Oct 26, 2011 09:46:03 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A handful of Halifax residents are suggesting the Occupy Nova Scotia movement should remain on the Grand Parade, through the Remembrance Day ceremony, and take up a post on the Halifax Common.
Mayor Peter Kelly has told the protestors to vacate Grand Parade by November 6 to make way for Remembrance Day events.
He’s offered them a spot on the Halifax Common as an alternative.
“I would suggest that they leave a group of their representatives at the area they are now, and take up Mayor Kelly’s offer of moving to the Common and occupy both areas,” Laura told Maritime Morning, Wednesday.
Angie said she agreed with Laura’s recommendation.
“Some of them should stay and represent,” Angie told the talk show. “If they want, have some (people) in the Common for a little while to spread the word.”
Other callers to the show said they believe the Occupy protestors will be respectful of the Remembrance Day ceremony if they end up sharing the space with veterans.
“Let’s give those people the benefit of the doubt,” said Jim Hoskins. “Some people are assuming that they won’t give respect to Remembrance Day. Let them join in the ceremonies. I’m sure they’ll be respectful. If they’re not, they’ll ruin their cause.”
There were mixed opinions about whether the protestors’ presence would be disrespectful to the veterans.
One caller pointed out veterans fought to Canadians to have the right to assemble and protest peacefully.
“I think it would be disrespectful for them to leave,” said Darren. “To say, hey the veterans fought for freedom, but not your freedom. It’s a demonstration of what the veterans did. We are remembering what these people died for and why they died, democracy, freedom of speech and right to assemble. It’s almost part of the ceremony.”
Other callers were not in favour of the protestors remaining on Grand Parade or anywhere else.
One caller said veterans fought for the majority and that the majority of people in Halifax have lost their ability to use Grand Parade because of the ongoing Occupy protest.
