K'JIPUKTUK, HALIFAX - Hundreds of Haligonians took to the street this Saturday to show their opposition to fracking, pipelines, tar sands and other ill-advised initiatives that contribute to runaway climate change.
The rally, which started at the Farmers Market and wound its way to Parade Square, was one of many like it in Canada. Similar events took place in at least 130 communities from coast to coast.
Drummers, people in costume, families with children, dogs, and many creative and colourful signs all contributed to a festive atmosphere.
A kayak was carried along to remind onlookers that rising sea levels will cause the Halifax Waterfront to be flooded by the end of the century. A blue stripe was painted on the sidewalk along Lower Water Street to demarcate that new high water mark.
Speakers at the rally emphasized that slowing down climate change is extremely urgent. Elder Billy Lewis talked about the need to get really angry.
"We can't wait any longer. If your house is on fire you don't whisper, you yell", said Lewis. "They're not listening now, and they're not going to listen unless a hell of a lot of us stand up. Here we stand. We're not going anywhere. We really have to become indignant."
Catherine Abreu, energy coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre, urged the new government to continue to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nova Scotia.
Tom Duck, physics professor at Dalhousie, spoke about the reality of climate change. This summer's floods in Calgary, Toronto and Winipeg are clear evidence that the climate is changing, Duck said
The final speaker was Amy Sock, a member of Elsipogtog First Nation, who was arrested by RCMP earlier in October and had the bruises to show for it.
"I was arrested," said Sock. "You may have seen my photo, all bruised up, that's me."
"And as awful as it was for me that day, if it would happen again I would do it again in a second. "And I don't think I would have the courage if it wasn't for the allies. After 500 years, we the Mi'kmaq in Elsipogtog, a small little indian reserve, have brought together our neighbours."
"Together we sing, we pray, we hope for the same thing, we have allies."
A map on the website of the Canada-wide organizing coalition indicates that in Nova Scotia rallies also took place in Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Truro, Antigonish and Sydney.
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