On February 25th a coalition of civil liberties, media, and labour groups joined together for a national day of action to call for the repeal of repressive anti-terrorism laws, an end to warrantless mass surveillance, and the passage of a new law to protect journalists and whistleblowers. Hundreds came out to rally in five cities across Canada, and thousands joined in on social media using the hashtag #ProtectPressFreedom.
Canadian journalists plan #ProtectPressFreedom rallies Saturday to protest expansion of police access to online info https://t.co/J8a6Z9ThXV
— PEN America (@PENamerican) February 23, 2017
Canadians sent a message to Prime Minister Trudeau that we are watching closely to ensure he takes action on the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (AKA Bill C-51) and on the press freedom crisis in Canada.
Our friends at the Committee to Protect Journalists put together a great video introduction to the day of action.
Police surveillance is damaging press freedom in #Canada. #ProtectPressFreedom - https://t.co/fVMHeFufRE pic.twitter.com/Ofsp0KJsnX
— CPJ (@pressfreedom) February 11, 2017
We rallied in 2015 to stop Bill C-51 from being passed, and now CJFE is suing the government to have it overturned. It can take a long time and a lot of work just to roll back legislation that never should have passed in the first place.
“A freedom given up is not so easily regained.” (Rivera Sun) #ProtectPressFreedom
— Tammy Richard (@Tammy_Richard) February 25, 2017
Toronto
We kicked things off in Toronto, where supporters braved the bitter cold in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Rally to #protectpressfreedom. w/o a free press our democracy is threatened. Stop spying spying on #journalists @canadaCJFE @JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/tFrYFEIdVc
— Unifor Canada (@UniforTheUnion) February 25, 2017
We were fortunate to have the inimitable Raging Grannies on hand to serenade and inspire.
Raging grannies @canadaCJFE #protectpressfreedom day of action pic.twitter.com/miEgaYLkki
— Julie Mollins (@jmollins) February 25, 2017
I've got my eye on you JT. @canadaCJFE #protectpressfreedom day of action in #Toronto #PressFreedom pic.twitter.com/R2PylwKm3u
— traceywhywhyzed (@traceyyyz) February 26, 2017
What a great shot! Our drone experienced technical difficulties, so we had to rely on the pluck of our brave volunteer Matt Currie to catch the money shot.*
Our intrepid, drone-replacing photog @canadaCJFE #protectpressfreedom day of action in #Toronto #PressFreedom pic.twitter.com/aZN7ZMbyev
— traceywhywhyzed (@traceyyyz) February 26, 2017
Vancouver
At the same time, supporters gathered on the other side of the country in Vancouver.
#Vancouver rally #protectpressfreedom #RepealBillC51 #C51 #cdnpoli @canadaCJFE @bccla @RSF_en @NEWS1130 #vanpoli #bcpoli #yvr pic.twitter.com/h6HUuy9R8q
— StopbillC51 (@StopBillC51) February 26, 2017
From #Vancouver @StopBillC51 rally #protectpressfreedom @canadaCJFE #vanpoli #cdnpoli #bcpoli #C51 #RepealBillC51 #yvr pic.twitter.com/7FghBiicuW
— Azza ♫ عزة (@Azza_R14) February 26, 2017
Thanks Richard, Una & Kate (not pictured) for helping us hand out Repeal #C51 postcards at @canadaCJFE #protectpressfreedom rally today! pic.twitter.com/pnMBtVO06y
— BC Civil Liberties (@bccla) February 26, 2017
#RepealBillC51 @StopBillC51 #protectpressfreedom @JayTweet pic.twitter.com/winRxsuyVk
— Janine (@janinesolanki) February 26, 2017
London
The good people of Occupy London Ontario organized a local action in Southwestern Ontario.
#Trudeau: We're Watching You Rally To End Mass #Surveillance,Repeal #C51 & #ProtectPressFreedom In #ldnont On #Feb25 https://t.co/g1bCB21R3U pic.twitter.com/Ej2KuDh5U5
— Occupy WSIB (@occupywsib) February 25, 2017
Montreal
A group led by 99%Média broadcast live outside of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Montreal constituency office.
En direct #ProtectPressFreedom "Nous demandons au gouvernement du Canada de mettre fin à la surveillance de masse... https://t.co/pDcygVwl3a
— 99%Média (@99Media_org) February 25, 2017
Congrats to everyone today #protectpressfreedom demos nation wide . Heres the word from the 514 https://t.co/kaS62ZpILd
— William Ray (@billyray105) February 25, 2017
25 février: journée d'action pour la protection des sources #ProtectPressFreedom #Journalistesespionnés @CJFE | https://t.co/2iomURNl56 pic.twitter.com/bgDTIbGzCt
— FPJQ (@FPJQ) January 30, 2017
Ottawa
Meanwhile, members of the University of Ottawa Law and Technology Society took the lead on proceedings in out nation's capital.
A small but mighty group braved the cold rain to call on @JustinTrudeau to #protectpressfreedom @canadaCJFE pic.twitter.com/myiAIkjB2D
— uO Law & Tech SS (@uOttawa_LTSS) February 25, 2017
We love Canada b/c it's 1 of the world's strongest democracies so we braved the cold rain to call on @JustinTrudeau to #protectpressfreedom pic.twitter.com/rV6hii6OCd
— Chelsey Pollard (@ccolbertpollard) February 25, 2017
Global support for press freedom in Canada
We were humbled as allies from around the world joined in online to show solidarity with the campaign.
#Canada Stop spying on journalists Mr Trudeau #PROTECTPRESSFREEDOM @efjeurope pic.twitter.com/XMfMwvb80J
— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) February 25, 2017
RSF joins @canadaCJFE for Feb 25 National Day of Action to protect journalists sources in Canada #ProtectPressFreedom protectpressfreedom.ca pic.twitter.com/7dscO8O9nl
— RSF in English (@RSF_en) February 21, 2017
Hoy apoyamos a periodistas canadienses quienes protestan porque tienen evidencias que se les está espiando #protectpressfreedom @canadaCJFE pic.twitter.com/PKIdwk1bvO
— Zuliana Lainez (@zulianalainez) February 25, 2017
Unifor sends a united msg 2 stop spying on #journalists!#ProtectPressFreedom @JustinTrudeau & support strong democracy @canadaCJFE #cdnpoli
— Jerry Dias (@JerryPDias) February 25, 2017
Periodistas peruanos junto a canadienses para demandar cese la vigilancia a periodistas #protectpressfreedom @canadaCJFE @JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/X7rcHZD5i7
— ANP Perú (@ANP_periodistas) February 25, 2017
Solidarity from the Indian Journalists Union for an end to spying on #journalists in Canada #protectpressfreedom @canadaCJFE @IFJGlobal pic.twitter.com/gtGTprrvKj
— Unifor Canada (@UniforTheUnion) February 25, 2017
@IFJGlobal urges journalists to join today’s protest calling on Canada PM Trudeau put a stop to spying on journalists #PROTECTPRESSFREEDOM pic.twitter.com/xAEU30Pa9c
— Jim Boumelha (@JimBoumel) February 25, 2017
Über #Pressefreiheit-Krise in #Kanada & @JustinTrudeau sprach ich mit @wdr5-Medienmagazinhttps://t.co/R2jW2ColcS#protectpressfreedom pic.twitter.com/3tFX47HxoY
— Christian Mihr (@cmihr) February 25, 2017
@UniforTheUnion @stuart_laidlaw NUJ GS says don't snoop on journalists #PROTECTPRESSFREEDOM pic.twitter.com/jCiUBCfBuS
— Tim Dawson (@TimDawsn) February 25, 2017
Take action
Couldn't make it out and want to get involved? Why not lobby your MP!
We've put together a guide to help you lobby your MP on press freedom, mass surveillance, and #C51 https://t.co/YvSPqhIgqy pic.twitter.com/a00NlHgK4B
— CJFE (@canadaCJFE) January 19, 2017
These actions are not happening in isolation. They are a part of a global pushback against a wave of authoritarianism and repressive laws that is sweeping the western world, notably seen in American President Donald Trump's attacks on the press in the United States.
@canadaCJFE #protectpressfreedom timely coincides with #WhiteHouse ban on @guardian @nytimes @CNN & more.
— FreedomTalk.net (@SNaeemUddin) February 25, 2017
Trump's media war threatens journalists globally, protection group warns https://t.co/BwIWhYe1DH
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 25, 2017
Though this might be too low a bar to set, we think this is a reasonable demand of our country's leaders:
@JustinTrudeau Let's be better than the US, ok?
— David Jordao 🇨🇦 (@iCrazyDavey) February 26, 2017
👉🏼 #protectpressfreedom
What was this all about? Simple:
A strong, free press is more important than ever. End mass surveillance, repeal #C51 and #ProtectPressFreedom. https://t.co/jz1K8zm9d8
— Peter (@peterhemminger) February 25, 2017
Our sincere thank you to everyone for taking part. If we like the work that we do, please consider supporting us by becoming an ally of CJFE.
BECOME AN ALLY OF CJFE!
* Said volunteer accepted all legal responsibilities and granted CJFE total immunity from liability as well as full power of attorney.
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