Democracy, Proroguing, Torture - and Haiti
by David Ball
SCM General Secretary
The biggest news of the last few weeks has of course been the devastating earthquake in Haiti. With the anti-proroguing (pro-democracy?) rallies approaching this weekend, there is an appropriately more sombre tone in light of the desperate need for attention on Haiti – more on proroguing below.
Although SCM Canada immediately sent a letter of support, nobody yet knows the whereabouts of our comrade movement, SCM Haiti. It’s really worrying us all… I’ve been losing sleep over it. And hearing that our global federation may send a delegation to help relief efforts and track down SCM there, I was half-inclined to ask to join them, if only to offer my feeble but passable skills in French to help translate. But from the sounds of it (my main news coming from Democracy Now) it seems like rescue efforts are being hampered anyway by a disproportionate military response – and I’m not particularly trained in disaster relief and would probably just be in the way. But my blessings definitely go to our comrades in Latin America who are going.
Speaking of which, my favourite CBC radio show The Current had an episode last week that another SCMer and I were both inspired by – an interview with writer Rebecca Solnit who researches “elite panic”, the common response of the state and social elites to disaster when they are threatened by grassroots collective/communal mutual aid and send in the troops.
Listen to The Current (January 19, 2010)
In response to the Haiti crisis, the World Student Christian Federation has called for support for a mission to Haiti, and SCM Canada issued a Pastoral Letter of solidarity with the Haitian people and raising the systemic causes of this disaster’s horrendous impact. Read more about WSCF & SCM’s response to the disaster
I reprint here the prayer sent to us from Latin America:
God, who walks with the people,
We have hope for a new dawn
For our brothers and sisters of Haiti
May these moments of difficulty touch
All those whose indifference destroys Creation
To satisfy their personal interests
Help WSCF unite our hands around the world in solidarity,
Grant us help through your grace and love to those who suffer
Through its renewing force, may the Holy Spirit
Accompany each of your sons and daughters
Offering them consolation and hope
Strengthened in faith
We are in your hands, O
God of Life.
Amen.
I attended an SCM regional retreat last weekend, in Toronto. Out of it, a new unit in Ottawa has emerged. Plus, it turns out that one of the SCMers in the Capital is in fact one of two co-coordinators for the major national Anti-Proroguing Rally tomorrow in Ottawa (coinciding with dozens of others across Canada). Check back at this blog for his reflections on the event.
Here is a short interview with Jesse, as well as comments from SCM’s communications coordinator, Lana:
Jesse Root, SCM Ottawa member and one of two co-coordinators of the national anti-proroguing rally on Parliament Hill Saturday.
Ottawa, Ontario
In light of the SCM’s statement today about proroguing parliament and torture, why are you involved in the Parliament Hill rally this Saturday?
There is a clear injustice and abuse of power taking place with this decision by Stephen Harper. It is unacceptable to use the forum of Parliament for personal political gain. We need to hold our government accountable by speaking out when and if things like this happen.
What is the goal of the rallies?
The goal ultimately is to get members of Parliament back to work; but realizing that might not in fact happen, we at least hope people will be more politically aware so these types of abuse of power won’t happen in the future, and for people to exercise their role in a democracy to hold the people in power accountable.
Why would a faith group like SCM take a stand on this issue?
It’s important for Christians and faith groups to get in on this because some of the things that have been dropped because Parliament has stopped working have been issues that concern us as people of faith, especially the Afghan detainee issue, torture, and abuse of fundamental human rights; there’s a host of other bills that are just being dropped. It’s unjust.
How are you involved in the Parliament Hill rally?
I’m one of two co-coordinators of the Parliament Hill rally. I had joined the Facebook group, and someone put a call-out for volunteers to organize the national rally in Ottawa. There’s a host of other volunteers too; there’s literally hundreds of volunteers. It’s incredible.
What message would you send to SCM members and supporters across the country?
SCMers need to go to the rallies, they need to write their MPs [Members of Parliament] and the Prime Minister to let him know how they feel about this issue, and they need to stand up and keep tabs on the government in power and make sure they don’t abuse the power that they have.
Some people have accused the anti-prorogue movement of being partisan. For instance, of opposing the Conservative Party or supporting the Opposition. How do you respond to that?
It’s very clear from an organizational point of view that we have volunteers from all political stripes, and we have not received any funding from any political party at all. If you look at the composition of the group, and the funding, it’s very clear it’s not a partisan thing.
What do you think about the role Facebook organizing has had on this issue, and what do you think it means for political organizing in the future?
I was recruited as a rally co-coordinator through the Facebook group. I think definitely we’ve seen Facebook work this time – it’s making politics more accessible to everyone. Almost everyone goes online and it feels less tenuous than needing to go out to the polling stations to vote – which wasn’t that hard to begin with.
Lana Wilson, Communications and Resources Coordinator, SCM General Board
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
We feel it’s a justice issue – it will severely affect the ability of people involved in the Afghan detainee issue to pursue justice. As an SCM Board member, we’ve made this statement because this will stall the investigation into the Afghan detainee issue. It’s difficult for a democratic government to function when it’s not in session.
We hope to see more solidarity statements like this one, and people going to anti-proroguing rallies. I will be taking the SCM banner. We hope to show the government that Canadians are taking an interest and are not content. We really hope the Canadian government can hear the voices of Canadians.
