April 28, 2010

G8 Meets Resistance in Halifax

Protesters balk at G8's feel-good claims

by Halifax Media Co-op

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

HALIFAX—From April 26 to 28, development ministers from the G8 countries met in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The official agenda included maternal and child health in developing countries, but protesters in Halifax weren't convinced: the G8 rendezvous was met with a slew of demonstrations.

"I'm repulsed by the fact that the G8 development ministers are meeting in my town," said protester Cole Webber.  "They represent an agenda that's about profit-making without any regard for human needs and I think they should be opposed vigorously."

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"Where are G8 leaders when the International Monetary Fund and World Bank force governments in poor countries to slash the social safety net?" asks march organizer Kaley Kennedy. G8 countries account for only 14 per cent of the world's population but control the majority of the world's wealth and almost half the votes at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). photo by Shayna George

"We're going to beat back the G8 attack. We're going to beat, beat back, the G8 attack," sang more than 300 protesters as they flooded onto South Park Street in Halifax on April 25. photo by Ron Sawlor

"We're going to beat back the G8 attack.  We're going to beat, beat back, the G8 attack," sang more than 300 protesters as they flooded onto South Park Street in Halifax on April 25. photo by Hillary Lindsay

The march and rally were high-energy and filled with music, chanting and dancing. photos by Ron Sawlor

Many participants were frustrated that the march was re-routed by police from the original route down Spring Garden Road.  Instead, the march wound its way down the much less visible South Park Street and South Street. photo by Ron Sawlor

 "I would have liked to see us use our collective strength - having a couple hundred people here today - to take the march where we want it to go," said protester Cole Webber, who was disappointed by the decision to comply with police orders. "It's our march, we have the numbers to take the street." photo by Shayna George

The newly formed Feminist League for Agitation and Propaganda (FLAP), performed several actions in opposition to the G8. photo by Jessica Ross

...including actions like this one: Hula Hoopers for Reproductive Justice. During the G8 discussions, the federal government announced it will not fund abortions in its G8 child and maternal health-care initiative for developing countries. photo by Jessica Ross

Would you? photo by Anna Pearce

Food Not Bombs and Campus Action on Food served locally-grown food free at every demonstration. photo by Sebastien Labelle

Many participants in Halifax demonstrations plan to take to the streets in Toronto in June as part of a mass mobilization against the G8 and its preferred world order. photo by Anna Pearce

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