The Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council condemns the Halifax Regional Municipality and Mayor Peter Kelly’s order to evict Occupy Nova Scotia demonstrators on Remembrance Day and the actions of the police in assaulting and arresting several peaceful protesters on Friday November 11th.

Union members, members of the community, neighbours, family and friends are strongly encouraged to attend an urgent SOLIDARITY RALLY for OCCCUPY NOVA SCOTIA Saturday November 12th beginning at 11:00am at the Halifax Grand Parade Square.

As you will have seen reported in the media, Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly directed police to remove and evict peaceful Occupy Nova Scotia protesters and tents from Victoria Park in Halifax on Friday November 11th (Remembrance Day), despite discussions which had taken place over recent weeks and the agreement of the occupiers to move from the Halifax Grand Parade Square temporarily to Victoria Park (Spring Garden and South Park) to accommodate both Remembrance Day and Dignity Day on the request of the Mayor. The Mayor’s actions today, by sending police into Victoria Park as wreaths were being laid for Remembrance Day, is in violation of both the spirit and stated intent of the agreement that Occupy Nova Scotia entered into with the Mayor and Veterans.

 

Mayor Peter Kelly's eviction notice issued today, and the actions of the Halifax police department in brutalizing and arresting peaceful demonstrators, are particularly shameful acts given that Remembrance Day honours the memory of those who gave their lives for the right to peaceful political demonstrations, free speech and free assembly.

The Labour Council urges the Mayor to reverse his decision and stop interfering with the people’s right to peaceful demonstration.

Also: the Labour Council encourages all union members, community supporters of the occupation and others to phone Mayor Peter Kelly to express their disappointment in his actions on Remembrance Day. Mayor Kelly can be reached on his cell phone at 902-222-9999 or at his office at 902-490-4010.

Please pass the word around about Saturday's important rally. Local unions are encouraged to send representatives to bring a message of solidarity to the rally. Please bring union banners and flags and let folks know that organized labour stands on the side of justice — against corporate greed and the banks who crashed our economy in the first place.

Please check http://HalifaxLabour.ca or http://facebook.com/HalifaxLabour or http://twitter.com/HalifaxLabour for more timely updates.

We hope to see you Saturday at 11am at the Halifax Grand Parade Square!

 

In Solidarity,

 

Kyle

 

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Kyle Buott, President
Halifax-Dartmouth&  District Labour Council
211-3700 Kempt Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3K 4X8
Office: 902-453-2074
Email: president@halifaxlabour.ca
Web: http://HalifaxLabour.ca

 

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