About the convoy

Details

Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

Paov,

As of this morning the “Truckers for Freedom” occupation has entered its third day in Ottawa, choking off access to the downtown core and putting hate symbols on open display.1 Whether they were watching on the news from the other side of the country or from their front doors in downtown Ottawa, people across the country were disgusted by the harassment, vandalism and hate.

You probably know by now that members of Canada’s far-right movement organized the convoy, and the protest has attracted the sympathy of thousands more who are angry and disaffected by a system they know is rigged.2

In fact, the current convoy camped out on Parliament Hill looks remarkably similar to the Yellow Vest convoy that descended on Ottawa three years ago. Claiming to be in opposition to Trudeau’s carbon tax, it similarly became swept up by anti-immigrant and far-right sentiment.

Right wing politicians and their operators have been pouring fuel on working class frustration ever since. Instead of addressing the problems we face, they’ve successfully tapped into working people’s rage in order to further their visions of everything from fossil fuel expansion to privatization to white nationalist ideologies....

We can’t combat the rise of the far-right by ridiculing or ignoring it away. We have to out-organize it. We have to build a movement big enough to stop them — one that holds space for people’s anger against a broken system, and channels it into a positive vision for the future.

That means organizing our communities around the vision of a bold, inclusive just transition that responds to this moment of crisis without leaving anybody behind. Paov, it’s been nearly three years since Justin Trudeau promised to pass a Just Transition Act. Will you take a moment to sign the petition calling on him to make it his government’s top priority?

The convoy has generated a lot of media coverage and that’s been frustrating to see too, especially when I think about how often Canada’s news outlets ignore and marginalize our own, much bigger movements. These so-called “Truckers for Freedom” are sidelining the majority of transportation workers – particularly immigrant and South Asian truckers who are currently struggling against poor working conditions and wage theft.3

Fighting for a Just Transition is how we can come together across movements and build power in our communities to win the future we deserve. Get involved now by adding your voice to the thousands who have already signed the petition.

Out-organizing the far-right is the only way forward. Together, we can push this Parliament to meet the moment and pass sweeping just transition legislation that acts at the speed of the climate crisis, creates good, green jobs, and leaves no one behind.

Signing our Just Transition Act petition is the first step. Add your name now.

In solidarity,

Katie

PS – We’ve published a blog post with these thoughts, plus a list of places to donate. The convoy has raised more than $9,000,000 from 115,000 individual donors backing their radical, right-wing agenda. We can fight back by supporting grassroots organizations fighting against hate and injustice. Please read and share the post!

1. CBC: Trudeau will address Canadians as anti-vaccine mandate protest enters 3rd day in Ottawa
2. Canadian Anti Hate Network: The “freedom convoy” is nothing but a vehicle for the far right
3. Toronto Star: ‘Freedom Rally’ is distracting from truckers’ other day-to-day battles, some argue

350.org is building a global climate movement. You can connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and r38