Not that I do not sympathize with her sentiment.
But there is a time and a place for protest -- and such time and place is determined by what is effective.
The dreadful recent protest of a young man who burned himself alive in North Africa was terribly effective (one thinks of the monks in Vietnam). DePape however did nothing that in any way changed anyone's mind except insofar as it hardened the resolve of the Conservatives.
Now is the time to put aside big gestures and to focus on details. We can move things (slightly) in a progressive way but only by looking at details.
Small steps.
Grandstanding won't work:
Globe.ca
A high-profile American activist has become a cheerleader of the Senate page who lost her job for her stunning protest against Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Michael Moore has posted a giant photo on his website of 21-year-old Brigette DePape holding up a "Stop Harper" sign in the Senate chamber during Friday's throne speech.
The documentary filmmaker makes a call on his website for people to support DePape.
DePape told The Canadian Press she's excited her protest has attracted attention from a high-profile activist like Moore.
The University of Ottawa graduate was fired from her job for the move and was criticized by many Parliamentarians who suggested it was disrespectful.
But DePape says she's convinced the best way to stop the Harper government is through protests like the one she staged.
DePape stood in the Senate chamber for about 20 seconds holding the sign on Friday before she was ushered out by security.
9 comments:
DePape was protesting two things. First, and most obviously, she was protesting against the Harper government. But second, her point was that Parliament doesn't work. The system we have now allows Harper, with the support of 25 percent of Canadians, to form a majority government and rule at will for the next four years. If you believe Parliament doesn't work, I see nothing inherently wrong with making the point IN Parliament. It is just that 'respect for Parliament' everyone says she should have that is, in her mind, the cause of the misrepresentative government we have today.
In this I think she has a point, and I think her protest is, in addition to being overnight iconic, very well taken.
Perhaps you are right Downes -- my ocncern isnt that she protested IN Parliament -- my concern is is didnt work. But I could be wrong on that -- I have been known to be wrong before!
DePape is right and all the pansey waste are wrong. Frick, she knew she would be fired so why is everyone labouring that point? DUH!! And the Senate, which Harper has treated with such contempt, was a very good place for a protest. Who cares how many MPs didn't like it.... They are all programmed to mindlessly do what they are told - potted plants, the lot of them. And I am ashamed of all the Liberals who have jumped on the bandwagon "the Senate is not the place for a protest" Well poppycock. And the House of Commons is also a good place for a protest. Everytime one of Harper or his dolts appear to lie to Canadians, someone should protest with a STOP HARPER sign. It is expected of all to stand up and be counted. If not we all go down to Harperland with smiling Jack as the comic relief.
Brilliant communicatins strategy by the Jackos. First, that Guelph university stunt during the campaign, now DePape to completely wipe out the throne speech from the coverage. Wonder what they have planned for the budget!
This is the first time Harper has a professional 24/7 politician as his nemesis, not some prim and proper sissy like Dion or Iggy.
By the end of this year, Harper will be wishing that the Liberals were still the opposition and he was still a minority PM. Cuz, if the polls tighten any further, watch for calls for Harper's head from within his own caucus. There are about 80 to 100 MPs who see no future cabinet seat with Harps in charge.
A majority government means job security for the MPs for 4 years, which is a long time to plot a leader's overthrow (as Chretin found out). Plus, Harper is planning severe cuts.
DePape did the only thing left to us. The media is working in concert with the Conservatives. The opposition is in disarray. There is no one to speak for non-Cons. The only way to reach out and affect change in today's Canada is to break these barriers. We must protest. We must be represented by someone. DePape is just the first of many building blocks to shake things up. If we sit idly by while the media and the corporations build an almost impossible hill for any opposition, we are doing wrong by everything for which Canada stands. The little guy needs a voice, too. Perhaps DePape's Arab Spring vernacular is a little obvious, but her methods are true. Our aim must be as resolute. We need new goals, new tools and a new results. We're not going to succeed with the status quo.
I question the ability or the credibility of anyone who labels someone's protest as right or wrong. Who are you to judge, who is anyone? Protest, no matter where it is, is an expression, and as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it is outside the realm of judgment.
Where can I get a "STOP HARPER" sign to put in my front window?
LMA;
You can make one out of crayon like Depape did....
On the anniversary of D Day and a couple of days earlier the Tiananmen Square massacre do we really want to equate this stunt as something meaningful? In both cases cited above young people faced tanks and many lost their lives.
The irony is that she protested the institution that guaranteed her right to protest and protects her safety.
She was seemingly silent on electoral reform before the election. Would she have protested, had she been older when Chretien won stronger majorities with a similar overall percentage of the vote? Of course not.
I sense that she has had a sheltered life where she feels entitled to a government of her choosing.
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