---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 10:22:13 -0500 (EST) From: Wendell Fields <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Jim Jaszewski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Riot Squad takes on Protesters on Parliament Hill (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 03:00:05 -0500 (EST) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: APEC Alert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Riot Squad takes on Protesters on Parliament Hill APEC 1997 protesters can relate to this story: CBC Newsworld reports: Riot police end homeless protest WebPosted Wed Feb 10 22:17:02 1999 OTTAWA - Former Prime Minister Joe Clark was kicked and riot police had to be called in to end a demonstration by homeless protesters on Parliament Hill on Wednesday. Hundreds of homeless people and anti-poverty activists went to Ottawa to talk to the prime minister. They wanted to tell him how they struggle to find shelter and food, and to ask for help. 'We'll be back' They left without seeing him. But in their attempt to gain entry to the parliament buildings, ten protesters were arrested. They came from Toronto, Montreal and lots of cities and towns in between. The rally was organized by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty. Many of those who made the trip were homeless. Others say they're living on the edge, some are paying 60 per cent of their welfare cheques for a room they share with someone else. The Liberals cut federal support for social housing in 1993. The demonstrators came to ask Jean Chretien to restore that money. Although they'd asked for a meeting weeks ago, the prime minister said he was too busy. The protesters moved up Parliament Hill, towards the Centre Block, trying to force a meeting with Chretien. But the RCMP had barricaded the route and the protesters who pushed passed were arrested. Federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark tried to speak to the group, but he was jostled and kicked. "Joe Clark was part of the Mulroney government and he's the one who started this," said one protester. Clark retreated. After a 2 hour stand-off, the demonstrators left. One of the protesters told CBC Radio News this isn't the last the politicians have seen of them. "We'll be back bigger and stronger, if they don't get it -------------------------------------------------------------------- Get free personalized email from Canada.com at http://www.ehmail.com Information about Ow-Watch-L at: http://www.welfarewatch.toronto.on.ca/wrkfrw/welcome.html Visit the Workfare Watch Project Website at: http://www.welfarewatch.toronto.on.ca/ Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
