Early Tuesday evening, cries of "Guilty!" rang from Victoria Park in downtown Halifax. This was the verdict rendered by the general public after watching the "trial" of U.S. President George W. Bush. The play, written by the organization Lawyers Against War, was performed by members of the Halifax Peace Coalition (HPC).
Photo: Jan Meyerowitz
After the trial, over 300 participants left Victoria Park and marched down Spring Garden Rd. Both lanes of the road had been blocked off to traffic by the Halifax Regional Police. Cheering "Drop Bush, Not Bombs!" the group weaved their way through the core of the city until they reached the steps of the U.S. Consulate's office. After a short rally at the steps to the building, the demonstration ended, and the participants dispersed quietly.
These actions in Halifax occured the same day as at least 25 other demonstrations across Canada, protesting U.S. President Bush's Tuesday visit to Ottawa. President Bush is visiting Canada as part of an international tour. While in Ottawa President Bush will not address Parliament, where he could face the questioning of Canadian MPs.
Bush will be leaving Ottawa Wednesday morning, and plans to stop in Halifax for a few hours before continuing his trip. Another demonstration has been planned by the HPC to take place while President Bush is in Halifax. Wednesday morning's demonstration is expected to draw thousands of participants from across the Maritimes.
Photo: Jan Meyerowitz
DOWNTOWN PROTEST PRECEDES BUSH'S ARRIVAL IN HALIFAX TOMORROW
Under a statue of Robbie Burns, peace volunteers are working against the clock to stage the mock trial of George W. Bush, a play written by the group Lawyers Against the War. Organizers ask for people to hoist placards. It's a good-humored, quiet crowd; many come forward immediately to take up a sign. Folks sip coffee and greet friends. They wear toques and knitted headgear, protest buttons and white poppies in lapels. Some wear purple ribbons.
Around the edge of the park are larger banners. A spectacular one is Picasso's great anti-war work, Guernica, painted on a banner the size of a small billboard. No War On Iraq is written across the image.
"Have fun," says Halifax Peace Coalition organizer Chris Maxwell from the stage, "And get our message out".
The trial of George W. Bush begins, and a dead-ringer for Bush is read the charges against him: responsibility for the death of Iraqis and for irreparable damage done to the environment because of the war. The white-wigged Judge admonishes the crowd against spitting and other forms of displeasure; they laugh easily and boo at all the right times. It's all in fun and good spirit. Lawyers argue: Bush's defender is played by a local human rights lawyer, Philip Girard. Witnesses speak and then the Judge asks for a verdict. The entire crowd forms the jury.
"How do you find the defendant?" asks the Judge.
"It's a no brainer -guilty!" yells a wag in the audience. To cheers, Bush is found guilty, directed to be deported from Canada, and then he's whisked off by the crowd towards the American Consulate. The march has begun.
Motorcycle cops clear the street of traffic, and the 400-strong crowd chants noisily through Halifax's downtown business district, past store clerks stepping out to cheer, and window displays hawking peace t-shirts. Cars and an 18 wheeler honk in support. Five tall, lanky guys with crewcuts and an oversized cowboy hat walk alongside chanting "pro bush" "pro bush" and "who's going to protect you?". "Who's going to invade us, more likely", a protester wryly responds.
At the steps of the US consulate, a single line of security stand with arms crossed. Only a few feet away, a sound system on a bicycle cart is quickly set up, and several speakers talk of US imperialism and Canada's complicity. Some impromptu singing breaks out in the crowd, with renditions of John Lennon's "Imagine", and a few heartfelt verses of Twisted Sister's "We're not going to take it, anymore."
After about 15 minutes the crowd disperses into the night, saving their energy for the big non-welcome the next morning.
Liz vanBerkel & Jane Kansas & Jan Meyerowitz
© 2004 Halifax Peace Coalition hfxp